Congaree, Street Cry to Battle at Churchill

The $500,000 Californian at Hollywood Park isn’t the only race for older handicap horses.

Congaree, arguably one of the three best older horses in the country along with Mizzen Mast and Macho Uno, will take on Dubai World Cup winner Street Cry in the $750,000 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs, one of four stakes at the Louisville track. The others are the $100,000 Northern Dancer, the $150,000 Regret and the $300,000 Fleur De Lis.

Godolphin Racing Inc., which owns Street Cry, will also try to win the $250,000 Brooklyn Handicap at Belmont Park with E Dubai.

A $1.35-million yearling purchase, E Dubai will be making his first start since finishing second in the Super Derby Sept. 23 at Louisiana Downs. He has won two of three at Belmont Park and will be ridden for the first time by Jose Santos.

About 90 minutes after the Brooklyn is official, local players will turn their attention to the pick six at Hollywood Park.

The exotic wager, which kicks off in the fifth race and includes the Charlie Whittingham Memorial Handicap and the Californian, has a $1-million guaranteed pool today.

Race of the day: Jockey David Flores will be in Texas to ride Suances for trainer Darrell Vienna in the $250,000 Dallas Turf Cup at Lone Star Park. The 1 1/8-mile race is the first leg of a national pick three, which also includes the Hollywood Breeders’ Cup Oaks and the Stephen Foster Handicap.

Who’s hot: Timely Action. The 3-year-old son of Gilded Time is unbeaten in two starts this year for trainer Richard Mandella and stakes races are definitely in his future. A possibility is the seven-furlong King’s Bishop, a Grade I, in August at Saratoga.

Who’s not: Trainers John Anderson, Deanna Cook and James Kiesner. They are a combined 0 for 51 this year.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Bear Fan in the fourth, using Disguys Dalimit, B.T. Gotrich and Immense Variety in the fifth and Skipping and Startac in the sixth.

Winners (through Thursday): Previous day/meet total: 3/98. Money: Previous day/meet total: $22/$565. Total money bet: $636.