Graded Stakes Races Draw Quality Fields

After several weeks of racing that focused on the 3-year-olds, older horses will be the center of attention today.

Although some of the top performers in the handicap division -- specifically, Medaglia d’Oro, Congaree and Milwaukee Brew -- aren’t running, the three graded stakes to be run at Hollywood Park, Belmont Park and Churchill Downs drew quality fields.

Western Pride, who has won 10 of 25 races and more than $1.26 million for owners Carolyn Chapman and Theresa McArthur, is the likely favorite against seven others in the $400,000 Californian at Hollywood Park. The race is the last major prep for the $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup on July 13.

Volponi, who became famous with his easy win at 43-1 in the Breeders’ Cup Classic last year, and multiple graded stakes winner Evening Attire head a lineup of six in the $250,000 Brooklyn Handicap in New York. Like the Californian, the Brooklyn is a Grade II at 1 1/8 miles.

In Kentucky, Mineshaft, who might be the nation’s best horse, drew the outside post in a field of 12 in the $750,000 Stephen Foster Handicap. Also at nine furlongs, the Foster is a Grade I and is one of four stakes on the Churchill Downs card.

Owned by a partnership headed by Will Farish, the owner of Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, Ky., and the U.S. ambassador to England, Mineshaft is a 4-year-old son of A.P. Indy out of the Mr. Prospector mare Prospectors Deelite.

Sent to England to begin his career, he won only one of seven starts for trainer John Gosden but has blossomed since returning to the U.S and switching to the main track.

Mineshaft has lost only once in seven races on dirt, when he was second to Balto Star in the Whirlaway Handicap at the Fair Grounds on Feb. 9.

Trained by Neil Howard, the dark bay colt has won at Churchill Downs, the Fair Grounds and Keeneland, and earned his initial Grade I win when he splashed to a 3 3/4-length victory over Western Pride in the Pimlico Special last month.

“It’s a Grade I and it would be great to win it here,” said Howard, who is based in Kentucky. “It would be great for the Farishes.

“This colt was a baked cake when I got him. He’s done everything that has been asked of him. He came ready to roll.”

Aldebaran, who has yet to win beyond a mile, will be the second choice. The 5-year-old son of Mr. Prospector is back less than three weeks after he won the Metropolitan Handicap over a sloppy track at Belmont Park. Jerry Bailey will ride for trainer Bobby Frankel.

Besides Western Pride, who won the San Bernardino Handicap at Santa Anita on April 5 before his runner-up performance in Maryland, the Californian attracted Kudos, the Nelson Bunker Hunt-owned duo of Gondolieri and Piensa Sonando, Reba’s Gold, Calkins Road, Wooden Phone and Fleetstreet Dancer.

Owned by Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moss and trained by Richard Mandella, who won his first Californian with Big Ten in 2000, Kudos is the only member of the cast with a Grade I victory in the U.S. Last year, the gelded son of Kris S. won the Oaklawn Handicap at Oaklawn Park under the now-retired Eddie Delahoussaye.

A winner of three derbies as a 3-year-old -- Calder, Ohio and West Virginia -- Western Pride will be making his first start at his home track.

“He handles [the surface] really well,” trainer Jim Chapman said. “He doesn’t have to be on the lead, but he probably will be.”

The Brooklyn has the smallest field of the three important races for older horses, but it is certainly an accomplished half-dozen. They have combined to win 40 races and earn $9,014,279.

Volponi, a 5-year-old owned by breeder Amherst Stable and the Spruce Pond Stable, will stretch out after missing by a neck at 2-5 odds in his first start of the year at seven furlongs on May 9.

“His prep was very good,” trainer Phil Johnson said. “He just got beat by a first-class sprinter [Speightstown] and he was probably not 100%.”

Owned by Mary and Joseph Grant and Tom Kelly and trained by Patrick Kelly, Evening Attire will be making his first start since winning the Red Smith Handicap at Aqueduct Nov. 23. The gray gelding had a big year in 2002, winning five of nine and more than $1.3 million.

Harlan’s Holiday, Iron Deputy, El Gran Papa and Saarland complete the field.