Mandaloun Wraps Up Stephen Foster Preparations

One week before the $750,000 Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs, probable entrants Mandaloun , Americanrevolution , and Title Ready  logged their final moves June 25 prior to the 1 1/8-mile race.

Juddmonte's Mandaloun, the 2021 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) winner, worked at 5:30 a.m. ET for trainer Brad Cox. The 4-year-old son of Into Mischief breezed solo through five furlongs in 1:00 4/5, which has been different than his previous works when he was in company with stablemate Fulsome .

"We thought about running in the Salvador Mile (at Monmouth Park) but it didn't make sense to ship him across the country with the hot weather when we can run out of our own stall at Churchill," Cox said. "Once we got him back to the barn after the Saudi Cup, he's really been doing well at Churchill and we've been very pleased with his progress from that race to run him in a race like the Stephen Foster."

CHC and WinStar Farm's New York-bred Americanrevolution worked at 7:30 a.m. in company with June 4 Blame Stakes winner Dynamic One , with both clocking five furlongs in 1:00 1/5. The Todd Pletcher trainees galloped out to six furlongs in 1:13. Americanrevolution finished fourth, beaten three lengths in the Blame.

"It was maybe a better race than it looks on paper," Pletcher said. "He was pretty wide on both turns. Figure-wise, it came back solid. I think he took all the worst of it there off the layoff and when his schedule was adjusted late (when the Commentator at Belmont Park did not fill). He should be ready to move forward."

Dyanmic One is likely to run in the $400,000 Suburban (G2) July 9 at Belmont Park, according to Pletcher.

Charles Fipke's homebred Title Ready finished third in the $500,000 Alysheba (G2) in his last start behind top Stephen Foster contender Olympiad . He clocked four furlongs Saturday in :49 2/5 for Dallas Stewart.

Entries for the Stephen Foster close Wednesday. 

Cyberknife Returns to Work Tab

Gold Square's $225,000 Matt Winn Stakes (G3) winner Cyberknife , likely headed to the $1 million TVG.com Haskell Stakes (G1) July 23 at Monmouth Park for his next start, returned to the Churchill Downs work tab Saturday with an easy half-mile in :48 4/5.

"He's a grade 1 winner already and I think a race like the Haskell could help him increase his stallion value," Cox said. "He gutted out a victory in the Matt Winn last time and showed a lot of determination to get to the wire from off the pace. It'll be a tough race in the Haskell but we're confident with him going up against grade I-caliber horses."

The 3-year-old son of Gun Runner   is owned by New Jersey-resident Al Gold, a retired construction manager who regularly attends races at Monmouth. Cyberknife is likely to complete his major work toward the Haskell at Churchill Downs and ship to New Jersey the week of the race.