LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Ron the Greek rallied to overtake pacesetter Nate’s Mineshaft near the finish line, then held off favorite Wise Dan by a head Saturday in the $437,200 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs.
Ron the Greek, ridden by Jose Lezcano, earned the first automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic through the “Win and You’re In” series. It was his second Grade 1 victory this year, following the Santa Anita Handicap in March.
Trained by Bill Mott and owned by Brous Stable, Watchtel Stable and Jack T. Hammer, Ron the Greek paid $20.80, $6.40 and $5.40. Wise Dan returned $3 and 2.80, and Nate’s Mineshaft paid $8 to show.
Mott also won the Grade 2 Fleur De Lis as Royal Delta, last year’s champion 3-year-old filly, routed the field by 8 lengths. Centre Court won the Grade 3 Regret, and Neck ‘n Neck took the Grade 3 Matt Winn.
