Ottoman Fleet scoring the Arlington G3.(Jenny Doyle/Past The Wire)
Arlington Stakes Winner Ottoman Fleet Returns in Grade II, $500,000 Wise Dan
Churchill Downs Update
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Godolphin’s talented six-time winner Ottoman Fleet (GB) is set to take on a compact field of six turf specialists entered in Saturday’s 35th running of the $500,000 Wise Dan (Grade II) at Churchill Downs.
The Wise Dan, run at 1 1/16 miles on turf, was carded as Race 7 of 12 with a post time of 3:52 p.m. Along with the Wise Dan, the stellar day of racing features five other stakes contests led by the $1 million Stephen Foster (GI). First post is 12:45 p.m.
In the Wise Dan, Ottoman Fleet will attempt to garner his second consecutive stakes victory at Churchill Downs following his one-length score earlier this month in the Arlington Stakes (GIII). Trained by Charlie Appleby, Ottoman Fleet’s impressive resumé includes victories in the Fort Marcy Stakes (GII) at Belmont and back-to-back scores in the Earl of Sefton Stakes (GIII) at Newmarket. Jockey Flavien Prat, who rode Ottoman Fleet in the Arlington, will return for the mount in the Wise Dan and break from post No. 2.
Another talented horse that entered the Wise Dan is C R K Stable’s Grade I winner Exaulted. Trained by Peter Eurton, Exaulted is set to make his 7-year-old debut in the Wise Dan. The California invader had a solid 6-year-old season, winning the Shoemaker Mile (GI) and American Stakes (GIII) at Santa Anita. Jockey Juan Hernandez, one of the leading riders on the Southern California circuit, is scheduled to ride Exaulted in the Wise Dan from post 6.
Fans can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs on www.twinspires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Kentucky Derby.
Saturday is the penultimate day of the 2024 Spring Meet. Fans can purchase tickets on www.churchilldowns.com. Admission gates will open at 11:30 a.m.
In addition to the stellar racing action, the winning connections of this year’s Kentucky Derby (Mystik Dan) and Kentucky Oaks (Thorpedo Anna) will be presented with their engraved trophies during a winner’s circle ceremony between races. Also, the trophies will be on display beforehand for guests to take photos.
