Arlington-Washington Lassie S. (G3) heroine CULINARY (El Amante), who
suffered her first career defeat when finishing seventh in the Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile Fillies (G1), will make her three-year-old debut in Thursday’s $100,000
La Troienne S. (G3) at Churchill Downs. Trained by Michael Stidham, the gray
miss will face eight challengers in the 7 1/2-furlong test.
ASPEN TREE (Holy Bull), third in the Bonnie Miss S. (G2) prior to a runner-up
finish in the Beaumont S. (G2) last out, is a top contender for conditioner Carl
Nafzger. The La Troienne also features SEEK A STAR (Mutakddim), who will make
her stakes bow following a pair of impressive wins, including a 5 3/4-length
allowance score last out at Keeneland.
Stakes winner KOTA (Indian Charlie), who carries a 116-pound impost,
including John McKee, will break from the rail. To her outside comes COOL SPELL
(Grand Slam), Cornelio Velasquez, 116; HOT STORM (Stormy Atlantic), Jerry
Bailey, 122; Aspen Tree, Javier Castellano, 116; SHE’S THAT CAT (American
Chance), Orlando Mojica, 116; Seek a Star, Jorge Chavez, 116; OUR KES (Ire) (Revoque),
Rafael Bejarano, 118; Culinary, Robby Albarado, 122; and PUNCH APPEAL
(Successful Appeal), John Velazquez, 122.