Stephen Foster Day race line up, 6 Grded stakes

pick 6 - six graded stakes on 6-17-6
should be another great day of racing.

Buzzards Bay, with Jose Valdivia Jr. to ride, will carry 121 pounds in the 1 1/8-mile Foster. Brass Hat, the local standout who will be making his first start since finishing second in the March 25 Dubai World Cup, also will carry 121 when ridden by Willie Martinez.

Others definite for the Foster are Perfect Drift, 118; Wanderin Boy, 117; Love of Money, 115; Master Command, 115; Wild Desert, 115; and Wiggins, 114. West Virginia, M B Sea, and Seek Gold are possible.

Five other stakes on Foster card

The 25th running of the Foster is the highlight of what will be a blockbuster card Saturday, when five other stakes are on tap. Here is a brief rundown of each:

* Grade 2, $300,000 Fleur de Lis Handicap: Happy Ticket was scheduled to arrive Monday from Louisiana and will be a co-topweight with Oonagh Maccool. Both will carry 120 pounds in the 1 1/8-mile Fleur de Lis, which is shaping up with a small field of fillies and mares.

* Grade 2, $200,000 Jefferson Cup: Storm Treasure will be one of the favorites in this 1 1/8-mile grass race when he makes his first start since finishing 11th in the Kentucky Derby. Other probables include Brilliant, Mercurius, Tahoe Warrior, and Yate's Black Cat. Trainer Mark Casse said Monday that another Derby holdover, Seaside Retreat, is doubtful to run.

* Grade 3, $200,000 Northern Dancer Breeders' Cup: Private Vow, High Cotton, Circle the World, and Dontfearthereaper are among the 3-year-olds likely for this 1 1/16-mile race.

* Grade 3, $200,000 Regret: Baghdaria, Fiery Dancer, and Precious Kitten are expected among a sizable field of 3-year-old fillies for this 1 1/8-mile grass race.

* Grade 3, $100,000 Mint Julep Handicap: Wend, scratched Saturday from the Just a Game on the Belmont Stakes undercard, is a good possibility for this 1 1/16-mile turf race, in which she would start as the 120-pound highweight and surely as the favorite. Flying Glitter (119) and Rich in Spirit (118) are among the other probables.

The six graded stakes will make up the entire pick six (races 6 through 11), concluding an 11-race card. The Fleur de Lis tentatively is scheduled as the ninth, the Foster as the 10th, and the Mint Julep the 11th. Besides the pick six, Churchill also is offering a $250,000 guaranteed pool on the final pick four (races 8-11).

[dr. fager]

Very interesting card...thanks.

Master Command is a possible play here, can't wait for the PPs.