Twelve possible for Stephen Foster

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.