Weekend Stakes Races – Grade I Stephen Foster and Grade II Californian

Churchill Downs’ second biggest day of their spring meet is this Saturday.  The home of the Kentucky Derby will run the Grade I Stephen Foster on Saturday.  It’s a huge race that has attracted some well-known handicap horses including Blame.  Blame is the 3 to 1 morning line horse betting second choice but could go off as the favorite come race time.

The other great stakes race to bet this weekend is the Grade II Californian at Hollywood Park.

Weekend Stakes Races

Churchill Downs – Race 10

Where:  Louisville, KY

When:  June 12th, 2010 at 5:29 pm EST

TV:  HRTV

Grade I Stephen Foster

$600,000

For Three Year Olds and Up

1 1/8 miles over dirt

Blame is going to get a lot of play in this race, but Todd Pletcher’s Battle Plan looks like he’ll win unless someone challenges him early.  This race came up soft from a pace stand-point meaning that Battle Plan should be able to get an easy lead and then run on with the victory.  He’s 4 out of 5 and is coming off of a lay off for Pletcher. That’s a 25% winning move for the best trainer in the United States. 

Battle Plan has a great shot of going gate to wire in this.  For second, Blame appears to be the obvious choice, but General Quarters, who won the Grade I Turf Classic on Kentucky Derby Day in his last, might be able to challenge Battle Plan early.  He’s going to be the closest horse to Battle Plan in this race, that’s for sure. 

If he’s too close to Battle Plan early on, however, he could compromise his chances in this. That’s why I like him to finish second.  Blame has a serious shot to win this race if Battle Plan and General Quarters hook up in a speed duel.  The 4-year old colt has a record of 6-1-2 out of 9 lifetime races.  He’s a nice racehorse and has a shot at the victory provided the pace goes his way.

1. Battle Plan
2. General Quarters
3. Blame

Hollywood Park – Race 9

Where:  Inglewood, CA

When:  June 12th, 2010 at 8:05 pm EST

TV:  TVG

Grade II Californian

$150,000

For Three Year Olds and Up

1 1/8 miles over cushion track

Rail Trip figures to go off as the horse bet favorite in this and he figures to win it easily after tracking One Track Mind and then taking over from that one at the top of the stretch.  Rail Trip won the Hollywood Gold Cup in his last race after finishing second in a useful prep in the 2009 Californian. 

He shouldn’t lose the Californian this year because the horse that beat him, Informed, isn’t entered. One Track Mind stole an $80,000 optional claimer in his last.  He figures to get the lead again and, once again, run off slow early fractions. 

He could win this race, but Rail Trip figures to be only a length or two off of him throughout the entire race and One Track Mind might get pressure from Tres Borrachos for the lead.  Aitcho was a fast closing third in the $80,000 optional claimer that One Track Mind won.  Aitcho has enough speed to close or run from about 5 lengths off.  More than likely he’ll lie off a bit as that appears to be the style that has led to most of his success.

1. Rail Trip
2. One Track Mind
3. Aitcho

Good luck!

Get in on the horse racing action!  Log onto the horse racing sportsbook and bet the ponies!