Ellis Park, the little racetrack aka the ‘Pea Patch,’ is gearing up for the biggest day in its 101-year-old history.
On Saturday (July 1), the track in Henderson, Kentucky, will host the $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1), and a pair of Grade 2s, the $400,000 Fleur de Lis and the $400,000 Wise Dan.
This is a one-off day for the track, which is hosting the Churchill Downs spring meet through July 3 after the home of the Kentucky Derby (G1) was temporarily closed due to a high number of horse deaths before and after the Run for the Roses.
Nonetheless, the 1 1/8-mile Stephen Foster is the first $1 million race and the first Grade 1 at Ellis Park, and the winner earns an automatic berth, with all fees paid, into the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita on Nov. 4.
A competitive field of eight is entered, with trainer Ken McPeek sending out two of the top four contenders in 3-1 favorite Smile Happy, and 4-1 co-third choice Rattle and Roll. Brad Cox sends out the 7-2 second favorite in West Will Power.
“It’s a little odd. We’re used to having it at Churchill Downs, but obviously this is the way it balanced out,’’ Cox said. “Hopefully, we have a good, clean racetrack. There’s some rain in the forecast, but I hope it holds off.”
“It’s a good, solid group of horses,’’ Cox said. “One of the better older route races we’ll see this year in trying to get into the Breeders’ Cup Classic.”
Smile Happy, a 4-year-old son of Runhappy, has won two of three this year, most recently a two-length victory in the Alysheba (G2) at Churchill Downs on May 5. He’s finished in the top 3 in seven of eight career starts and will likely be forwardly placed on this one. As a 3-year-old, he ran eighth in the 2022 Kentucky Derby.
Stablemate Rattle and Roll comes in with a three-race winning streak, the Ben Ali (G3), the Pimlico Special (G3) and most recently the Blame (G3) in his most recent start, rallying from fourth place to a 1 ¼-length victory.
West Will Power is another who will be up front at the start under Flavien Prat. The 6-year-old son of Bernardini, dueled on the lead with Smile Happy in the Alysheba before finishing third. In his previous race, he won the New Orleans Classic (G3) by 4 ¾ lengths in March.
Speed Bias ran second by a nose to Rattle N Roll in the Pimlico Special, and Happy American was third in the Blame.
The Stephen Foster Day card will be broadcast on FanDuel TV and the FanDuel TV+ app.
Churchill Downs bought Ellis Park in 2022 for $79 million.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
