|07.02.202207.03.2022|8:03pm1:32pm
Olympiad and Junior Alvarado profitable the Stephen Foster
Olympiad tracked a fast tempo, grabbed the lead on the prime of the stretch, and held a rallying Americanrevolution at bay in deep stretch to win Saturday’s forty first operating of the $740,000 Stephen Foster (G2) at Churchill Downs.
Ridden by Junior Alvarado, Olympiad scored by 2 ¼ lengths whereas clocking 1 1/8 miles in a swift 1:47.66 – the seventh quickest renewal of the race and simply .38 off Victory Gallop’s 1999 stakes and monitor file of 1:47.28.
Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott for homeowners Grandview Equine (Robert Clay), Cheyenne Stable LLC (Everett Dobson) and LNJ Foxwoods (Larry, Nanci and Jaime Roth), Olympiad rated one size again of pacesetter Caddo River, who rattled off fractions :23.05, :46.45 and 1:10.64.
Around the ultimate flip, Olympiad was able to pounce on the tiring chief. Simultaneously, Mandaloun, who was made the 2021 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner following the disqualification of Medina Spirit, loomed boldly from third in his first begin since a ninth-place end within the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) on February 26, and Cigar Mile (G1) winner Americanrevolution tipped out for his cost from fourth.
Olympiad, who started the week ranked No. 5 on the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll behind Flightline, Country Grammer, Life Is Good, and Jackie’s Warrior, kicked clear in higher stretch and held sturdy within the last furlong to gather his fifth win in as many begins this 12 months. His record of victories this 12 months consists of triumphs within the Mineshaft (G3), New Orleans Classic Stakes, Alysheba (G2), and now the Stephen Foster.
“I thought it was a very game win this afternoon,” Mott stated by way of phone. “There were some nice horses in this field and I thought he did things rather easily. It was really nice to see him win like that.”
His subsequent try is more likely to be an try to gather a Grade 1 victory within the $1 million Whitney at Saratoga in 5 weeks on Aug. 6.
“Bill Mott likes to have horses on win streaks, like Cigar,” stated Mott’s Kentucky-based assistant Kenny McCarthy. “This horse has started one of his own and he’s been such a pleasure every time he’s run in our care in Kentucky. The whole team did a great job to get him back here and it’s very special to win the Stephen Foster again. He has such a big stride and it’s so powerful in the late stages of his races.”
Mott additionally received the 2012 Stephen Foster with Ron the Greek.
The lofty $455,320 first prize lifted the bay Kentucky-bred colt’s earnings to millionaire standing: $1,407,560 from a file of 7-1-1 in 10 begins.
“This horse has such a big stride on him and really extends it late in races,” Alvarado stated. “I think as he’s gotten older he’s gotten faster in each start. Today we sat in a good position just off of the early pace and he showed how powerful his stride can be. I asked him just a little bit in the final furlong and he continued to get faster. He’s a great horse and has shown his talent all year long. It will be a fun rest of the year.”
The victory within the Stephen Foster, a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” qualifier, earned Olympiad a assured spot within the beginning gate for the $6 million Longines Classic (GI), which is scheduled for November 5 at Keeneland. Also, his connections can have all Breeders’ Cup pre-entry and entry charges coated and will obtain a journey award as much as $10,000.
Olympiad, at odds of 3-2, returned $5. Americanrevolution, with Luis Saez aboard, was second and Proxy was one other 2 ¾ lengths again in third below Joel Rosario.
“He tried so hard this afternoon” Saez stated of Americanrevolution. “The winner was simply the best but he put in a run in multiple areas of the race. He just couldn’t quite match strides with Olympiad.”
Mandaloun flattened to fourth and was adopted by Title Ready, Caddo River and Last Samurai.
“It was disapp,ointing,” stated Mandaloun’s jockey Florent Geroux. “We were expecting a big effort today. He never quite grabbed the bit around the turn.”
Olympiad is a son of Speightstown out of the Medaglia d’Oro mare Tokyo Time and was bred In Kentucky by Emory A. Hamilton.
