The undercard feature on Saturday was the $250,000 Forego Stakes (G1), a 7 furlong sprint for older horses. Lucky Island was sent off as the 3-4 favorite in the field of ten (with 9 betting interests), undefeated in 4 starts this year including wins in the Bold Ruler in May and then the Tom Fool in July. In to challenge him included the 9-2 Zayat Stables entry of Forefathers and Premium Wine, and 8-1 third choice First Defence. The Zagat horses both won allowance races in their last starts, while First Defence was second in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap after winning the Jaipur.
At the start, Lucky Island stumbled and then was pinched back to last down the backstretch. Eternal Star battled with First Defence for the first 1/2 mile through fractions of 22.53 and 44.61 over the fast main track. Turning for home, jockey Channing Hill asked First Defence for run and got it, as the 8-1 shot quickly opened up a 4 1/2 length lead at the 1/8 pole after 3/4 in 1:08.49, and then drew off late to win by 6 3/4 lengths in 1:21.55. A wall of five horses hit the wire together for the place photo, which determined that Greeley's Conquest was second, a head in front of Ferocious Fires third, by a neck over Eternal Star fourth, by a nose over Tasteyville fifth, and then another head back to beaten favorite Lucky Island sixth.
