Departing Tops Field for $200,000 Fayette Stakes

Departing has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite for trainer Albert Stall. Bred and owned by Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider, the four-year-old gelded son of War Front will have regular rider Robby Albarado aboard from post position two. Departing has won seven of his thirteen starts and the multiple graded stakes winner was last seen finishing second in the Homecoming Classic at Churchill Downs.

Long River going for first graded stakes win

Long River is second choice on the morning line at odds of 3-1 and will try to earn the first graded stakes victory of his career. Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, the four-year-old son of A.P. Indy is out of Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Round Pound. He has won four of his fifteen starts and was third in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) last time out. He will break from post seven under Rosie Napravnik.

Stephanoatsee trying to return to form 

Also at 3-1 on the morning line is Stephanoatsee, another impeccably-bred son of A.P. Indy. Trained by Nick Zito, the five-year-old ridgling is a half-brother to Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Shackleford. He is winless going back to the Barbaro Stakes in October of 2012 and has hit the board once from six starts this year. Julian Leparoux will be aboard and they will break from post position three.