Weekend Lineup Presented By 1/ST Grand 3: Three Graded Stakes On Turf

Originally posted on Paulick Report | Last updated 4/26/24

With all eyes on the final workouts for next weekend's Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders over the next several days, the afternoon action is highlighted by a trio of graded stakes across the country.

The Keeneland meet closes out on Friday with the Grade 3 Bewitch Stakes, while Churchill Downs opens up with a Saturday evening card highlighted by the $200,000 Roxelana Overnight Stakes. Also on Saturday evening, the post positions for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks will be drawn beginning at 7:15 p.m. ET.

Woodbine in Toronto, Ontario, opens its 2024 season this weekend and offers a pair of six-furlong stakes on Saturday and Sunday for 3-year-olds and 3-year-old fillies on the synthetic Tapeta surface.

Two additional graded stakes are on offer Saturday, both on turf, with the G3 Royal Heroine at Santa Anita and the G3 San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields, scheduled to be the last graded stakes ever run at the Bay Area track that will be closing for good in June.

Friday

4:07 p.m. - Grade 3 Bewitch Stakes at Keeneland

War Like Goddess was scheduled to go for her fourth straight win in this race, but the Bill Mott trainee was scratched Friday morning. Six horses remain from nine entered in this field, with the likely post-time favorite to be Graham Motion trainee Vergara. The daughter of Noble Mission won a Grade 3 at Kentucky Downs last fall, and is making her first start of the season here.

Bewitch Entries

Saturday

8:08 p.m. - Grade 3 Royal Heroine Stakes at Santa Anita

Multiple graded stakes winner Bellabel and a new arrival to the Southern California circuit, stakes-placed Uncorked, are among three horses entered by trainer Phil D’Amato in the one-mile turf contest.

Another new face in the lineup Fuente Ovejuna, who invades from South Florida for trainer Brendan Walsh. Most recently, the 5-year-old mare was third in the March 30 Sands Springs Stakes going 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream Park.

Trainer Doug O’Neill entered both stakes winner Stay and Scam and G3-placed Miss Lizzy.

Royal Heroine Entries

8:53 p.m. - Grade 3 San Francisco Mile Stakes at Golden Gate

A full field of 12 plus one also-eligible are on the docket for this one-mile turf contest, led by Phil D'Amato trainee Balnikhov, winner of this race in 2023. The gelding hasn't won since that start, but he's had a bit of a break since his last start and should be fresh.

Astronomer will be searching for his first graded stakes win here for trainer Simon Callaghan, as will the Richard Mandella trainee Sumter.

San Francisco Mile Entries

This article first appeared on Paulick Report and was syndicated with permission.

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