Crown of Thorns figures to compete for favoritism in the Stephen Foster off a sharp win over Sidney's Candy in the May 7 Inglewood (Benoit Photos) Multiple Grade/Group 2 winner REGAL RANSOM, a top contender in Saturday's $500,000 Stephen Foster (G1), arrived at Churchill Downs on Monday and has settled into familiar surroundings in Barn 41. "This is the fourth time he (Regal Ransom)'s been at Churchill Downs and he's been in Barn 41 every time," assistant trainer Ian Grant said. "It's kind of like a second home for him." An earner of more than $1.8 million, Regal Ransom has been preparing for his start in the 30th running of the Stephen Foster at Belmont Park, but the Saeed bin Suroor trainee not been away from his "second home" for very long. The five-year-old horse was last seen beneath the Twin Spires on Kentucky Oaks Day when he was second by a nose to First Dude (Stephen Got Even) in the Alysheba S. (G3).

"I think we got a little unlucky last time with an outside post," Grant said. "If he wouldn't have been so wide, I think he would have been able to hold on. Hopefully we will get a good post for the Foster and he'll win it this time."

Regal Ransom has recorded three works at Belmont Park in preparation for the Stephen Foster; including an eye-opening four-furlong "bullet" work in 46 3/5 on May 28.

"He's really doing well," Grant said. "I think he'll run another big race this weekend."

Regal Ransom handled the trip from New York well and Tuesday morning he visited the Churchill Downs track for the first time since the Alysheba.

"He's always been a great shipper and has had lots of practice," Grant said. "We galloped him 1 1/2 miles this morning and he looked great. He loves this track."

Alan Garcia will be aboard Regal Ransom again on Saturday.

Multiple Grade 2 winner CROWN OF THORNS (Repent) settled into completely new surroundings at Churchill Downs on Tuesday. He arrived at the track at 1:30 p.m. (EDT) following a flight from Ontario, California, to Lexington and a van ride to Louisville.              

Trained by Richard Mandella, the lightly-raced six-year-old is coming off a victory in the May 7 Mervyn Leroy (G2) at Hollywood Park. Crown of Thorns has a record of 3-4-1 in 10 races, with all of the runner-up finishes coming in Grade 1 races in 2009 and 2010.

The Stephen Foster will be the first start outside of California for Crown of Thorns, although Mandella has tried to get him to Churchill Downs on two other occasions. He was considered to be a major contender for the Kentucky Derby (G1) after he won the 2008 Robert B. Lewis (G2) at Santa Anita, but was injured shortly after that race and went to the sidelines for 1 1/2 years. Mandella also pointed Crown of Thorns to last fall's Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Churchill Downs, but a minor knee ailment prompted a late scratch from that race.

Southern California-based Tyler Baze is scheduled to ride Crown of Thorns in the Stephen Foster. He will carry 121 pounds, one fewer than the 122-pound high weight GIANT OAK (Giant's Causeway), who won last fall's Clark H. (G1) at Churchill and this year's Donn H. (G1) at Gulfstream Park.

Set to arrive later in the week for the 2011 Stephen Foster are Grade 2 hero DUKE OF MISCHIEF (Graeme Hall), winner of the $1 million Charles Town Classic (G3) last out, and EQUESTRIO (Elusive Quality), third when making his stakes debut in the Alysheba.

Entries are due on Wednesday, and 12 horses are considered likely or possible for the race: A.U. MINER (Mineshaft), APART (Flatter), Crown of Thorns, Duke of Mischief, EL CABALLO (El Corredor), Equestrio, FLAT OUT (Flatter), Giant Oak, HEADACHE (Tapit), MISSION IMPAZIBLE (Unbridled's Song), POOL PLAY (Silver Deputy) and WORLDLY (A.P. Indy).

A.U. Miner has been entered in a 1 1/16-mile allowance race on Friday's "Downs After Dark" night racing program and could opt for that race instead of Saturday's Stephen Foster.