As the midpoint of 2024 came and went during the weekend, leadership of horse racing's most important competitions not only remained up in the air but got even more contenders.
The 3-year-old picture has been muddled all year. The Classic division, for older horses, got another challenger as Kingsbarns stepped up to win the $1 million Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs, headlining a big pre-holiday weekend of competition.
On the international front, the usual suspects -- Coolmore, Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore -- dominated Irish Derby weekend at the Curragh.
Let's have a look:
Classic
Kingsbarns, a promising force since winning the 2023 Louisiana Derby, nailed down his first Grade I win with a strong move down the Churchill Downs stretch in Saturday's $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes. The Uncle Mo colt, trained by Todd Pletcher, kicked into gear nearing the quarter pole, ran by the early speed and cleared to win by 2 1/2 lengths over Pyrenees. Skippylongstocking was third and the favorite, First Mission, reported fourth after setting the early pace.
Other than a 14th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, Kingsbarns has not finished worse than second in any of his nine career starts. The Stephen Foster victory netted him a "Win and You're In" spot in the Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 2 at Del Mar but Ned Toffey, general manager of the owner, Spendthrift Farm, was looking beyond that.
"We're all thrilled for winning a Grade I with this horse," Toffey said. "At Spendthrift Farm we are in the stallion-making business and winning a Grade I obviously means we have to get a stall ready for him in the stud barn when he finishes his racing career."
At Woodbine outside Toronto, Paramount Prince went quickly to the lead in Saturday's $150,000 (Canadian) Grade III Dominion Day Stakes, chugged right along and coasted home first by 3 3/4 lengths. Stanley House was second and the favorite, Tyson, finished sixth. Paramount Prince, a 4-year-old Society's Chairman gelding, ran 1 1/8 miles on the all-weather track in 1:49.35 for jockey Patrick Husbands and trainer Mark Casse.
Essex Serpent worked to the front on the backstretch in Saturday's $180,000 (Canadian) Grade III HPibet Marine Stakes for 3-year-olds and clung tenaciously to the advantage all the way to a 1-length victory. It was only the third start for the Honor Code gelding, also trained by Mark Casse, and followed a third in the restricted Queenston Stakes. But the victory over open company, going two turns for the first time, bodes well for Essex Serpent's chances in the King's Plate.
Kingsbarns wins the $1 million Grade I Stephen Foster, earns Breeders' Cup Classic spot, Photo by Rene Torbit, courtesy of Churchill Downs
The 3-year-olds
It was Bob Baffert 1-2 at the finish of Saturday's $100,000 Los Alamitos Derby as Wynstock put a nose in front of stablemate Cornell right on the line. The odds-on favorite, Tapalo, led the way by as much as 7 lengths but tired to finish fourth. Wynstock, a New York-bred Solomini colt, hadn't come close to winning in three starts since he captured the Grade II Los Alamitos Futurity last December.
Next weekend brings the Indiana Derby and Iowa Derby.
Distaff
Scylla and her connections will be sorry to see the end of the Churchill Downs meeting. The 4-year-old Juddmonte homebred filly by Tapit won her third straight race since proceedings moved down the road from Keeneland, rallying from last of six to land Saturday's $500,000 Grade III Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis Stakes by a neck over Shotgun Hottie. She won an optional claimer by 7 lengths on May 4 and the Grade III Shawnee by 3 1/4 lengths June 1.
Sabatini drew off in the stretch run to win Saturday's $150,000 (Canadian) Grade III Selene Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Woodbine by 2 lengths from Crevalle d'Oro. Sabatini, a Florida-bred daughter of Uncle Mo, got her second win from four starts while trying two turns for the first time. Sofia Vives rode for trainer Josie Carroll.
Sprint
Closethegame Sugar stalked the pace in Saturday's $250,000 Kelly's Landing Stakes at Churchill Downs, surged by the dueling leaders early in the stretch run and prevailed by 1 1/2 lengths over Angkor. The 4-year-old Girvin gelding ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:14.89 with Irad Ortiz Jr. up for trainer Adam Rice and backed up his last-race victory in the Aristides Stakes.
Sunday under the Twin Spires, Raging Torrent got an easy lead in the $175,000 Maxfield Stakes for 3-year-olds and ran on to win by 2 1/4 lengths over Otto the Conquerer. Raging Torrent, a Maximus Mischief colt trained by Doug O'Neill, now is 2-for-2 since arriving in Kentucky from Southern California.
Dirt Mile
Cagliostro stalked the pace in Sunday's $300,000 Hanshin Stakes at Churchill Downs, surged to a commanding lead in the lane and held on to win by 1 length over Tumbarumba. Both Cagliostro, a 4-year-old Upstart colt, and Tumbarumba, an Oscar Performance gelding, are recent private purchases by the Amir of Qatar's Wathnan Racing. Cherie DeVaux trains the winner. Wathnan also made a huge impact at this year's Royal Ascot meeting with a lineup of well-chosen acquisitions.
Filly & Mare Sprint
Bluefield, the odds-on favorite, was along in the final sixteenth to win Saturday's $100,000 Musical Romance Handicap at Gulfstream Park by 3 1/2 lengths over Cousin Kristi. Bluefield, an 8-year-old mare by Field Commission, ran 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:16.50 with Drayden Van Dyke in the irons for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.
Belle's Blue Bell took the lead in the lane in Saturday's $100,000 Maryfield Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Laurel Park and held off the odds-on favorite, Youalmosthadme, by 1 3/4 lengths for the win. Belle's Blue Bell, a Florida-bred Girvin filly, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.91 with Joe Bravo up.
Turf
Ottoman Fleet sailed to the front in Saturday's $500,000 Grade II Wise Dan Stakes at Churchill Downs and wasn't seriously challenged, rolling home first by 1 1/2 lengths. The victory was the second straight for the Godolphin runner, a 5-year-old Sea the Stars gelding, following the Grade III Arlington Stakes over the same 1 1/16 miles. He now heads for Saratoga to join the Godolphin armada there with a next start either at the Spa or Colonial Downs.
"I really wasn't expecting the pace scenario to be what it turned out to be," said winning rider Flavien Prat said. "We sort of found ourselves on the lead and just went on with it."
Brilliant Bertie made it three straight wins with a stretch-running, 2 1/4-lengths score in Saturday's $250,000 American Derby at Churchill Downs. The Noble Mission colt, trained by Cherie DeVaux for owner-breeder Klein Racing, easily outfinished First World War with the favorite, Green Light, fading from the lead to finish third.
What Say Thee rallied from next-last of eight to capture Saturday's $250,000 Texas Turf Classic at Lone Star Park by a head over Ole Crazy Bone. What Say Thee, a 6-year-old Sea the Stars gelding, ran 1 1/8 miles on firm turf in 1:47.65. Umberto Rispoli had the mount for trainer Mike Maker.
Neat got first run to the lead in the stretch in Saturday's $250,000 Grade III Manila Stakes for 3-year-olds at Aqueduct, then held off the favorite, Deterministic, to win by 3/4 length. Neat, a Constitution colt trained by Rob Atras, ran 1 mile on firm going in 1:36.27 with Junior Alvarado in the irons.
Filly & Mare Turf
Dancing N Dixie rallied from next-last of eight to win Saturday's $250,000 Tepin Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs by a neck from Mo Fox Given. A Florida-bred daughter of Neolithic, Dancing N Dixie got 1 mile on firm turf in 1:36.04 with Jose Ortiz aboard. She had finished third in each of her last three starts, all graded stakes.
Implicated outfinished the favorite, reigning Canadian Horse of the Year Fev Rover, in Saturday's $175,000 (Canadian) Grade II Nassau Stakes at Woodbine. Implicated, a 4-year-old Connect filly, got first run to the lead while Fev Rover had a wide trip to reach contention. Implicated ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:35.50 with Declan Cannon up.
Libban pressed the pace in Saturday's $125,000 Wasted Tears Stakes at Lone Star Park, kicked it into gear in the lane and won off by 5 1/2 lengths with the favorite, Hoosier Philly, a never-involved seventh. Libban, a 4-year-old daughter of Laoban, ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:41.28 with Edgard Zayas riding for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.
Walkathon led the way in Sunday's $175,000 Anchorage Stakes at Churchill Downs and won by 1/2 length over Forever After All. The 5-year-old Twirling Candy mare ran 1 1/8 miles on good turf in 1:49.69.
Turf Sprint
Filo Di Arianna pressed the pace in Saturday's $200,000 (Canadian) Grade II bet365 Highlander Stakes at Woodbine, launched a bid at the quarter pole and put matters to rest in the final sixteenth, winning by 2 1/4 lengths over Witty. The 8-year-old Brazilian-bred improved to 4-for-4 at Woodbine but is 4-for-13 elsewhere.
Ova Charged, the prohibitive favorite, ran to her notices in Saturday's $125,000 Chicken Fried Stakes at Lone Star Park, rallying from mid-pack to win by 2 3/4 lengths, going away. The 6-year-old Star Guitar mare finished 5 furlongs on firm footing in 55.86 seconds.
Agent Peter Graves battled to a daylight lead in Saturday's $125,000 Grand Prairie Turf Sprint at Lone Star Park, then held on to win by a head over late-running Minnesota Ready. Agent Peter Graves, a Noble Mission gelding, was clocked in 55.84 seconds with C.J. McMahon at the controls.
Juvenile
Politicallycorrect was away last of 12 in Sunday's $225,000 Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs, emulated Arazi with a sweeping move around the turn to reach contention and then drew off to win by 4 lengths. Smoken Wicked was best of the rest in a very early preliminary for the Kentucky Derby. Chris Davis trains the Violence colt for a partnership fronted by Walmac Farm. He's 2-for-2 after an easy win in his first start May 20.
At Los Alamitos, Mischief River ran to a 1 1/2-length victory in Saturday's opening race, a 5-furlong heat for 2-year-olds. The Into Mischief colt looked good enough but the runner-up and favorite garnered more attention thanks mainly to his name -- Privman. Trainer Bob Baffert told Daily Racing Form before the race the colt "is much faster than his namesake" -- retired DRF columnist Jay Privman. The $625,000 yearling purchase ran a bit greenly down the stretch, offering hope for improvement.
Juvenile Fillies
Vodka With a Twist went quickly to the front in Sunday's $225,000 Debutante at Churchill Downs, was asked by Flavien Prat to show what she had in her third career start and drew off to win by 3 lengths. The daughter of Thousand Words covered 6 furlongs on a muddy track in 1:10.58. It was her second straight win under the Twin Spires after a fourth at Keeneland to get things started.
Around the World, Around the Clock
Los Angeles dug deep through the final furlong of Sunday's Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, saw off old rival Ambiente Friendly and then dealt with late runner Sunway to claim a 3/4-length victory. Ambiente Friendly held third. Los Angeles, a Camelot colt, was third in the Betfred Derby at Epsom last time out, behind Coolmore confrere City of Troy and Ambiente Friendly.
As he did at Epsom, Los Angeles sweated behind the gate, then required a blindfold before loading. This time around, the shenanigans didn't cost. After tracking two pacesetting stablemates, Ryan Moore sent his colt after the lead along the inside rail with a couple furlongs to go and he responded, sturdily if not brilliantly, providing trainer Aidan O'Brien his 16th win in the Irish Classic.
"We were delighted with him at Epsom and we thought he would come forward," Racing Post quoted O'Brien. "We think he'll get better. He's a big, hardy horse. He looks like he's a baby but he was a Group 1 winner at two as well and he keeps progressing."
O'Brien rejected expectations Los Angeles will be a "Leger-type" horse destined for 1 1/2 miles and beyond, adding, "Ryan said he has way more class than that."
The Ballydoyle training compound now is fortified with potential candidates for just about any big race anywhere during the remainder of the year with Auguste Rodin, City of Troy, Luxembourg and Los Angeles all at top form.
O'Brien also landed Sunday's Group 2 GAIN Railway Stakes for 2-year-olds but not with his favored colt, Tunbridge Wells. Rather, it was Henri Matisse, a Wootton Bassett colt with Wayne Lordan aboard, coming from last to win by 1/2 length from The Strikin Viking. Arizona Blaze, Tunbridge Wells and Principality completed the order of finish. Henri Matisse, out of the Pivotal mare Immortal Verse, improved to 2-for-2 and naturally hit the odds boards for the 2025 Guineas.
With a furlong to run in Saturday's Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh, you'd have said Emily Upjohn was home free. But that wouldn't have accounted for Bluestocking, who rallied stoutly over the rain-soaked course, caught her rival nearing the finish and won by won by 1/2 length for her first top-level victory. The Juddmonte homebred daughter of Camelot made it 2-for-2 this season following a warmup in the Group 2 Middleton Fillies Stakes at York May 16.
Truly Enchanting and California Dreamer hooked up early in Saturday's Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes for 2-year-old fillies and appeared to take turns on the lead before Truly Enchanting edged out to win by 1/2 length for Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien. The effort will go a long way toward erasing the memory of the No Nay Never filly's 13th-place finish in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.
France
Dubai Honor squeezed through between rivals some 400 meters out in Sunday's Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, seized the lead and held it to the finish, winning by 1 3/4 lengths from Feed the Flame. Point Lonsdale was third and the favorite, Iresine, finished fourth with a too-late move through the late going. Tom Marquand applied the winning ride for trainer William Haggas. Dubai Honor, a 6-year-old gelding by Pride of Dubai, has two earlier Group 1 wins in Australia and a third-place finish in Hong Kong. Sunday's win was his first European Group 1 victory.
Meanwhile, back in the States
Belterra Park
Miz Keeta buzzed by rivals in the stretch and ran on to win Friday's $75,000 Cincinnatian Stakes for Ohio-bred 3-year-old fillies by 2 3/4 lengths. The National Flag filly ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:42.98 with Fernando Salazar Becerra in the irons.
Horseshoe Indianapolis
Win Me Over stalked the pace in Wednesday's $100,000 Nobody Listens Handicap for Indiana-breds, got control by the sixteenth pole and ran on to win by 3 1/4 lengths over pacesetter Butch's Best. The 4-year-old Tamarkuz gelding ran 6 furlongs on a sloppy track in 1:10.84 for jockey Eddie Perez.
Diamond Solitare rallied from well back and outfinished E's Magic by 3/4 length in the companion Checkered Flag Handicap for state-bred distaffers. The 6-year-old Majestic Harbor mare got 6 furlongs in 1:11.26 with Alex Achard aboard.
Laurel Park
Play Harder finished second, a nose behind Celtic Contender, is Saturday's $75,000 Star De Naskra Stakes for Maryland-breds but was awarded the win by the stewards, who ruled Celtic Contender impermissibly crowded rivals leaving the chute early in the 7-furlongs heat. Play Harder is an Outwork colt out of the Smarty Jones mare Miss Manatee.
Pleasanton
Clovisconnection stalked the pace in Saturday's $50,000 Oak Tree Sprint Stakes, then dominated the stretch run en route to a 2 1/4-lengths win as the odds-on favorite. The 4-year-old Vronsky gelding ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.35 with William Antongiorgi III up.
