Fast Track

Stephen Foster 2019 Contenders
(in post position order)

PP	Horse	Trainer	Odds
1	Thirstforlife	Hawley	15-1
Seems to be getting better with age earning lifetime high BSF 99 LTO at Churchill where four of his seven career victories were earned. But $100K optional claimers appears to be his ceiling. That, plus the fact that he's 0 for 2 at this distance, makes it hard to see him in the top spot on the tote board.
2	Rated R Superstar	Contreras	20-1
Everybody's taking a shot here! Deep closer will need plenty help up front to have any chance and there's not much speed to run at.
3	Runaway Ghost	Fincher	20-1
Sunland Derby winner as 3YO was promising. Parlayed that success winning first two of 2019 after almost a year off. Two-back sprint effort in G3 Commonwealth at Keeneland is a toss as he returned LTO to take another at Sunland. 2 for 2 at this distance and gets Leparoux at 20-1. SHOT at a price.
4	Seeking the Soul	Stewart	4-1
Despite having two wins in nine starts at this distance, his better efforts were when he went shorter. He's a hard fighting warrior who likes Churchill and is sitting on a bullet with plenty of class. Trainer's graded stats aren't that good but hard to see him off the board in here.
5	Alkhaatam	Peitz	30-1
Two starts at 2. Sat out most of 3YO season -- starting once at Saratoga. Comes into this on a two-race winning streak for a trainer who is 0 for 6 with graded stakes runners. Working up a storm since his last out win here going 1 mile so expect him to be forwardly placed. This is a tough spot to try and build on his return to the races and would be a shocker.
6	Gift Box	Sadler	3-1
It wasn't that long ago that he was trying to take home $60K OC in New York. But since making the switch to Sadler and Santa Anita he's won a G1 and a G2 and was runner up LTO in the Gold Cup as the heavy favorite. This will be his first start at Churchill and is 0 for 3 at the distance, hence the lukewarm favoritism. And Rosario has 1 win in 23 attempts here this meet. Carries the package which makes him vulnerable.
7	Tenfold	Asmussen	12-1
Won his first two starts as a 3YO to join the Road to Kentucky Derby 2018. Wasn't eligible for the Roses but was third in the Preakness and 5th in the Belmont in the year of Justify. Son of Curlin has been taken along slowly by top connections who added blinkers two back to no avail in the sloppy G2 at Oaklawn. But returned LTO to take the G3 Pimlico Special from off the pace. Expect a one-run effort with a BIG chance to get there first in a field full of mediocrity.
8	King Zachary	Motion	12-1
Two of three lifetime wins came at Churchill where he last won the G3 Matt Winn. That was a year ago. Ended 3YO season with little success in deeper waters. Will be making second start of 2019 after opening with decent effort for a new barn. Last out jock opts for another but gets Castellano. Second start off a layoff isn't the best angle. Next time.
9	Tom's d'Etat	Stall	5-1
Cleared the field turning for home in the G2 Alysheba but couldn't keep McKinzie from drawing off and had to settle for second. But was 4 clear of Seeking the Soul who returns as second choice in here. Got on a roll during 3 and 4YO campaigns winning four in a row. Last out Alysheba was best effort to date. Toss the two-back G1 try at Gulfstream and consider him the pacesetter with a chance to hang on for a piece of the pie.
10	Quip	Brisset	10-1
Won the G2 Tampa Derby at 3 to put him on the 'Road' map. Ran runner-up around the track next out in the Arkansas Derby and flat out failed behind Justify in the Preakness to end '18. Will be making third start of 2019 on with two months in between races. Looking to build on last out win in G2 Oaklawn Handicap in a tough spot for him.
11	Exulting	Maker	20-1
Interesting entry in that he was claimed two back at Aqueduct for $62K and promptly returned LTO to take the $250K Oaklawn Mile from off the pace in his first ever try outside of New York. Trainer is sending out winners at 20% for the meet but only 8% in graded efforts. And this will be the first ever graded race for this guy. Picks up Preakness winning rider Gaffalione. Like I said, he's an interesting entry.
12	Yoshida	Mott	7-2
Derby winning trainer sends out this deep closer who's breed for turf but runs better on dirt. Won the '18 Woodward at Saratoga, but hung next time out in the Breeders' Cup Classic to finish fourth. Will need plenty of help up front from the widest post in a race that offers plenty of value.
*NOTE: Stephen Foster PPs provided by Brisnet.com and can be found online at Stephen Foster 2019 Contenders

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