Culinary returns in La Troienne

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.