Mint Julep Handicap Mint Julep Handicap The Mint Julep Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. Usually run in May or June, the Grade III event is open to fillies and mares age three and older. It is contested on Turf over a distance of one and one sixteenth miles (8.5 furlongs). The race is named for the Mint Julep, a popular drink with racing fans at Churchill Downs, particularly seen on Kentucky Derby day. Beginning in 2001, the Mint Julep Handicap became the Old Forester Mint Julep Handicap for sponsorship reasons. It currently
Stellar Wind (horse) doing.'". On May 1, Stellar Wind started as the slight favorite in a fourteen-horse field for the Kentucky Oaks, which was contested over nine furlongs at Churchill Downs. She broke poorly and had to stay towards the rear of the field, but made steady progress while being forced to run nine horses wide on the final turn. She kept moving steadily, but never looked likely to win, and finished fourth, beaten 4 3/4 lengths by Lovely Maria, Shook Up, and I'm A Chatterbox. After the race, Espinoza stated: “She broke just a bit slow and that was a problem. I