+Foster lures Derby, World Cup alums+
------------------------------------- 

By Marty McGee 
    
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky -- It's six weeks after the 125th Kentucky
Derby, and "My Old Kentucky Home" is still the theme song at
Churchill Downs. And for good reason. Two horses who have played
major roles in recent Derbies - Silver Charm, the 1997 winner,
and Victory Gallop, the 1998 runner-up, clash Saturday in the
$750,000 Stephen Foster Handicap. Not only is the Grade 2 race
named for the man who wrote the song that serves as an emotional
reminder of the Derby, but it also serves as the focal point of
the second annual Derby Alumni Day. 

While Silver Charm may be a slight favorite in the Foster, many
horseplayers will bank on Victory Gallop to make amends for his
narrow defeat under the Twin Spires more than 13 months ago.
Elliott Walden, trainer of Victory Gallop, believes the
4-year-old colt is fully capable of, well, victory in a gallop.
Both marquee horses made their last starts in the March 28 Dubai
World Cup. 

"On a scale of one to 10, coming back from Dubai, he's a 10,"
said Walden, referring to the colt who has apparently avoided
what is informally known as post-Dubai syndrome. "Of course,
until we run, you're a little anxious. . . . {But] he's the same
horse." 

Being the same horse is a very good thing in the case of Victory
Gallop. After establishing himself as one of the top horses in
his class last year, he easily won his 1999 debut at Gulfstream
before finishing a solid third in Dubai. He enters the 1
1/8-mile Foster with earnings of $2,633,000 from 15 starts. 

To assist the stretch-running colt in what shapes up as a race
that otherwise would lack pace, Walden also has entered
Connecting Terms, winner of a $40,000 claiming race in his last
start. Because both horses are owned by Prestonwood Farm, they
will be coupled in the wagering. Likewise, the potent John
Franks duo of Littlebitlively and Precocity - 5-year-olds who
have combined to earn more than $2.6 million - will be paired
for wagering purposes. With Nite Dreamer, a last-minute entry,
and longshot Da Devil, that makes a field of five betting
interests. For Silver Charm, the Foster represents not only a
chance to end the longest losing streak of his career - all of
three races - but also to restore his standing among the
nation's top handicap horses. An earner of more than $6.9
million for Bob and Beverly Lewis, the popular gray 5-year-old
will carry highweight of 123 pounds, spotting his rivals three
to 16 pounds. 

"He's training great, and he looks great," said his trainer, Bob
Baffert. 

The Foster will be televised live on the Fox SportsNet cable
network beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern. Post time is 5:40. 

The alumni theme has lured many top names to Churchill Saturday,
including Penny Chenery, whose family owned the great
Secretariat, and Ron Turcotte, who rode Big Red.