Henrietta Topham attempts to defend her crown while making her seasonal debut June 2 in the $250,000 Mint Julep Stakes (G3T) at Churchill Downs.
On this stage a year ago, the daughter of Lemon Drop Kid surged from behind and pulled off the upset in the Mint Julep. However, unlike this year, the Cambus-Kenneth Farm homebred had the benefit of two prior races in the spring under her belt. After the season ended on a sour note with three straight sixth-place finishes in the summer and fall, Henrietta Topham received a freshening.
Video: Old Forester Mint Julep S. (G3T)
Trainer Geoff Mulcahy will bring the 6-year-old mare back from her seven-month break in a spot that proved successful before. A five-time winner from 16 starts, a solid run to start her year will push Henrietta Topham over the half-million-dollar mark in earnings.
Among her eight challengers is Miacomet Farm's multiple graded stakes winner Heavenly Sunday, who has shown an affinity for both of Churchill Downs' courses.
Facing yielding turf in the May 3 Modesty Stakes (G3T) going 1 1/8 miles, the daughter of Candy Ride took her customary spot in the front but was caught late and finished fourth by 1 1/4 lengths. She appears on paper to be the pace in the race. With her first start of the year under her belt, trainer Brad Cox will be hopeful the 4-year-old filly can score her third win at the 1 1/16-mile distance.
The Mint Julep is race 7 with post time of 3:50 p.m. ET.
Entries: Old Forester Mint Julep S. (G3T)
Churchill Downs, Sunday, June 2, 2024, Race 7
- Grade IIIT
- 1 1/16m
- Turf
- $250,000
- 4 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
- 3:50 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Safeen (KY) | Luis Saez | 118 | Eddie Kenneally | 12/1 |
| 2 | 2Henrietta Topham (KY) | James Graham | 118 | Geoff Mulcahy | 8/1 |
| 3 | 3Fuente Ovejuna (GB) | Lanfranco Dettori | 118 | Brendan P. Walsh | 20/1 |
| 4 | 4Be My Sunshine (KY) | Joel Rosario | 118 | Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. | 8/1 |
| 5 | 5Excellent Question (KY) | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | 118 | Brendan P. Walsh | 15/1 |
| 6 | 6Immensitude (FR) | Flavien Prat | 118 | William I. Mott | 4/1 |
| 7 | 7Delahaye (KY) | Tyler Gaffalione | 118 | Chad C. Brown | 2/1 |
| 8 | 8Heavenly Sunday (KY) | Florent Geroux | 118 | Brad H. Cox | 5/2 |
| 9 | 9Misread (KY) | Jose L. Ortiz | 118 | Thomas Drury, Jr. | 15/1 |
