Churchill Downs Picks & Best Bets – Grade 1 Stephen Foster Stakes 6/28/25
Churchill Downs Race 8 Tepin Stakes
6 Vixen has run into the talented Nitrogen in her last two starts, finishing second and third, respectively. Filly is a Grade 3 winner who has only finished out of the money one time in 8 Career starts. Win Contender
5 Lush Lips is another one here who ran two solid races against Nitrogen. This Filly seems to do her best running when forwardly placed which wasn’t the case in her recent effort in the Grade 2 Edgewood. Look for Jockey Flavien Prat to send this gal early and get back to her preferred running style. Win Contender
3 Love You Anyway exits from confidence-building Maiden win after running a respectable 5th in the Grade 3 Florida Oaks. This filly could make some noise in here at a price. Major Threat
Selections 6-5-3-8
Churchill Downs Race 9 Kelly Landing Stakes Grade 3
3 Booth has been a win machine of late, reeling off 4 straight victories which include two back-to-back Grade 3’s. This Steve Assmussen trainee has been pressed on the lead and has gamely fought off the early pressure. Colt’s speed figures have been in the triple digits and he just seems to fast for his competition today. Top Pick
1 Dr. Venkman makes his second start off the bench after finishing second in the Grade 3 Triple Bend Stakes at Santa Anita. This 5-year-old Gelding is a Grade 2 winner who’s been dealing with health issues throughout his career. When this Mark Glatt runner makes it to the starting gate, he runs well. Win Contender
8 Durante was a surprising winner at 33-1 in the Aristides Stakes over the Main track here at Churchill. Any repeat of that performance makes him a player in here. Don’t Ignore
Selections 3-1-8-4
Churchill Downs Race 10 Wise Dan Stakes Grade 2
3 Mi Hermano Ramon is a West Coast shipper who has been facing some salty Grade 1 competition. He’ll likely get bypassed at the windows and should offer a sweet value. I love that he drops 6 lbs from his last race. In his last win, the Grade 2 Seabiscuit, he carried similar weight. Win Contender
4 Mercante was last seen winning the G3 Arlington Stakes over this turf course here at Churchill. Gelding has run two stellar races since getting back on the turf. He nearly upset Spirit of St. Louis in the Grade 1 Turf Classic two races back. He loves the blades here and should be sitting on another fine effort. Win Contender
7 Brilliant Berti has won 4 of 5 races on the blades here at Churchill. Hard to leave this off your tickets. Major Threat
Selections 3-4-7-2
Churchill Downs Race 11 Stephen Foster Stakes Grade 1
2 Mindframe stretches out in distance today after rallying at 7 furlongs to take the Grade 1 Churchill Stakes seven weeks ago. This son of Constitution has been no worse than second in 6 lifetime starts. He faces the acid test today as he has to face multiple Grade 1 winners. I believe he’s up to the task. Top Pick
4 Sierra Leone is last year’s 3-year-old champ who finished a disappointing 3rd in his first race as a 4-year-old. With a race under his belt and a work tab that looks sharp, I expect the 3-year-old champ and Breeders Cup winner to run a big one today. Win Contender
5 Mystik Dan is rounding back into form after three straight dismal efforts. He exits from a length and a quarter victory in the G3 Blame Stakes over this main track. The waters get much deeper here today, but this 2024 Kentucky Derby winner is back in form, and his work tab has been dotted with bullets. Major Threat