Leading the ungraded Aristides is Skelly, one of the nation's fastest sprinters.
Emmanuel, a horse owned by WinStar Farm and Siena Farm, was scratched from the May 18 Dinner Party Stakes (G3T) at Pimlico Race Course because of soft footing. He is back on June 1 at Churchill Downs in the $275,000 Arlington Stakes (G3T).
Stephen Foster Preview Day at the Louisville track on Saturday includes six races, four of which are rated, including the stakes event. Talented fields were drawn to the two ungraded races, the $275,000 Audubon races and the $275,000 Aristides. In the latter race, Skelly, one of the fastest sprinters in the nation, is the leader.
In Arlington, Emmanuel might find the hard turf conditions he enjoys. According to a National Weather Service estimate from May 28, there is a 40% chance of rain on Saturday, although dry weather is predicted leading up to the race on Saturday.
The five-time graded stakes winner for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, who finished fifth over soft turf in the most recent Maker's Mark Mile (G1T), will have a struggle no matter how the course is set up.
Godolphin's gifted grass specialist Ottoman Fleet, who has won a grade 2 in the US and group races abroad, is breaking alongside him. He also received a grade of 1. The five-year-old horse Charlie Appleby trainee, who is by Sea the Stars, finished second in the Fort Marcy Stakes (G2T) on May 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack. He had won the race in 2023.
Irad Ortiz Jr. is riding Emmanuel, More Than Ready's son, while Flavien Prat is on the Ottoman Fleet.
Smokin' T and Chasing the Crown are two of the six other competitors in the 1 1/16-mile turf race.