Churchill Downs Stakes Recap and Quotes: Dubai World Cup Winner Magnitude Wins Thrilling $2 Million Stephen Foster

Jun 27, 2026

In what was billed as the “Summer Showdown” featuring North America’s top older horses, Dubai World Cup (Grade I) winner Magnitude led every step of the way and defeated Grade I Pennsylvania Derby winner Baeza by 1 ¼ lengths to thrill onlookers in Saturday’s 45th running of the $2 million Stephen Foster (Grade I) at Churchill Downs.

Reigning Horse of the Year and Kentucky Derby 151 winner Sovereignty was another four lengths back in third as the 4-5 favorite. Four-time Grade I winning 7-year-old White Abarrio was fourth and 38-1 longshot Willy D’s was fifth.

Jose Ortiz rode Magnitude to victory – his fourth stakes win on the day – for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen and owner/breeder Ron Winchell’s Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC.

“What an amazing horse,” Asmussen said. “What a perfect story for all of us. A horse who came through the program, reaching the heights that he has with him beating Forever Young last time and the field that he beat today … what a special day, what a special moment.”

Magnitude, who made a strong case as the world’s top dirt horse, overcame breaking through the starting gate prior to the start of the 1 1/8-mile race, which was run over a “sloppy” dirt surface due to overnight and morning rain. However, gate crew assistant Eric Scherer had a firm hold on the colt’s head gear from the left side and Magnitude could only manage to get one step out.

“11,266 career wins and that’s the first one I’ve ever had after breaking through the gate beforehand,” Asmussen said of monumental win No. 11,267.

When Magnitude returned behind the gate to be reloaded, he broke on top from the outside stall. The same couldn’t be said for Baeza, who was just to his inside in post 4 and hesitated – much like he did when a troubled third in the $750,000 Alysheba (GII) on Kentucky Oaks Day – when the gates sprung open and spotted the field a couple of lengths.

Magnitude clipped off unpressured fractions of :23.88, :47.38 and 1:10.90 as longshot Willy D’s raced in second on the inside 1 ½ lengths back and White Abarrio tracked from third on the outside down the backstretch. Sovereignty was another half-length back in fourth and stablemate Baeza lagged another three lengths behind.

Into the final turn, White Abarrio put away Willy D’s and came within one length of leader Magnitude, who clocked six furlongs in 1:10.90, as Sovereignty ranged three-wide and Baeza began to hit his best stride.

But Magnitude was in a comfortable rhythm, cut the corner at the top of the stretch and spurted three lengths clear. White Abarrio, who defeated Sovereignty in the Oaklawn Handicap (GII) in his previous start, couldn’t keep up this time. Sovereignty moved into second and the on-coming Baeza was rolling wide down the center of the track.

Magnitude, however, refused to relinquish his advantage. Much like he did while defeating $31.7 million-earner and global superstar Forever Young (JPN) in the $12 million Dubai World Cup 91 days ago on March 28, Magnitude wandered a bit inside the final sixteenth of a mile, but he was clearly the best to score by 1 ¼ lengths in 1:48.03 over “sloppy” going.

“He’s an incredible horse,” said Ortiz, who also rode Maxfield to victory in the 2021 Foster. “I figured we’d make the lead if he broke well because he has such a high cruising speed. Sometimes he switches leads, but he just keeps fighting. It was another incredible effort from him today.”

He became the ninth gate-to-wire Stephen Foster winner and first since Asmussen and Winchell’s Dubai World Cup runner-up Gun Runner prevailed in 2017. Asmussen also won the race in 2008 with Curlin, another Dubai World Cup winner. Both Curlin and Gun Runner were named Horse of the Year after winning the Foster.

“People have tried to compare him to some of the great horses we’ve had over the years, and he just keeps living up to the hype,” Winchell said. “I was a little nervous in the stretch, but Jose kept finding more, and so did Magnitude.”

The lofty $1,238,000 first prize lifted the bay Kentucky-bred colt’s earnings to $9,782,365, which now ranks 17th all-time, from a record of 8-2-1 in 14 starts.

At 3, Magnitude won the $500,000 Risen Star (GII), $250,000 Iowa Derby (Listed) and $600,000 Clark (GII). He prepped for his victory in this year’s Dubai World Cup with a victory in the $500,000 Razorback Handicap (GIII).

“I’m so incredibly proud of this horse and everyone who has been a part of his journey,” Asmussen said. “He continues to give us everything he has every time he runs. You couldn’t ask for more from a horse like him.”

Off as the 5-2 second betting choice, Magnitude rewarded his backers with mutuels of $7.16, $3.58 and $2.46. Baeza, with Flavien Prat aboard, returned $3.62 and $2.26 at odds of 7-2. Sovereignty was another four lengths back in third under Junior Alvarado and paid $2.10 to show.

“Baeza doesn’t lay down in the gate—he’s just slow away from there and gave himself a lot to do,” said Hall of Fame conditioner Bill Mott, the trainer of Baeza and Sovereignty. “As for Sovereignty, he just didn’t have the kick he needed today.”

Forged Steel and Navajo Warrior were scratched.

The victory in the Stephen Foster, a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In Classic Division” race, earned Magnitude a guaranteed spot in the starting gate for the $7 million Longines Classic (GI), which is scheduled for Oct. 31 at Keeneland. Also, his connections will have all Breeders’ Cup pre-entry and entry fees covered and could receive a travel award up to $10,000.

Magnitude is a 4-year-old son of Not This Time out of the Bernardini mare Rockadelic.

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CHAMPION IMMERSIVE SHOCKS SHRED THE GNAR IN $483,500 FLEUR DE LIS

Immersive, the Champion 2-Year-Old Filly of 2024, went right to the front in a battle with Grade I winner Shred the Gnar, lost the lead with three furlongs to run and then battled back along the inside to regain command and hold off a fast-closing Regaled to win Saturday’s 51st running of the $483,500 Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis (Grade II) at Churchill Downs – a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI) – by three-quarters of a length.

Immersive clocked 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.51 on a “sloppy” track under Irad Ortiz Jr., who rode the winner for trainer Brad Cox and owner/breeder Godolphin LLC.

“She ran like the champion we know she is,” Cox said. “She really dug in late, was traveling well and responded well to Irad late to get by (Shred the Gnar) and then hold off (Regaled).”

In a compact field of four after the scratch of Splendora, Immersive shot to the front out of the gate and raced two paths off the rail along the inside with Shred the Gnar on her right hip every step of the way through splits of :23.38 and :47.08. Regaled and In Just My Heels lagged more than eight lengths behind the dueling leaders.

Around the final turn after six furlongs in 1:11.12, Shred the Gnar poked her nose in front as Immersive came under a drive. The two battled shoulder to shoulder in upper stretch but Shred the Gnar became weary and Immersive re-rallied along the rail and took back the lead with a furlong to the finish. An oncoming Regaled threatened late with a wide closing kick but could not catch Immersive, who was all out for the victory.

“She got into a good rhythm on the lead and really fought hard to win today,” Ortiz Jr. said.

Immersive paid $5.34 and $3.24 as the 8-5 second betting choice (note: there was no show wagering). Regaled, with jockey Tyler Gaffalione aboard, paid $4.18 at odds of 9-2. Shred the Gnar finished third and In Just My Heels was fourth.

Immersive, a daughter of 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist out of the Bernardini mare Gap Year, improved her record to 6-4-0 in 10 starts, and the $308,500 first prize boosted her career earnings to $2,262,400.

She also earned a guaranteed spot in the starting gate for the $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI) on Saturday, Oct. 31 at Keeneland. Also, her connections will have all Breeders’ Cup pre-entry and entry fees covered and could receive a travel award up to $10,000.

Prior to the Fleur de Lis, 4-year-old Kentucky-bred filly Immersive finished second to Splendora in the $300,000 Shawnee (GII) at Churchill Downs on May 30. During her 2-year-old championship season, she won $300,000 Spinaway (GI), $600,000 Alcibiades (GI) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI). After a pair of runner-up finishes at age 3, she won the $175,000 Seneca Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs last September.

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LAGYNOS LANDS GRADE II, $500,000 WISE DAN FOR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE STAKES WIN

Lagynos scored his fifth consecutive stakes victory and eighth overall when he spurted clear in the stretch to win Saturday’s 37th running of the $500,000 Wise Dan (Grade II) at Churchill Downs by three-quarters of a length over 15-1 longshot Mercante.

Ridden by Jose Ortiz and trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the consistent 5-year-old Lagynos, owned by His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Mishal Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, completed 1 1/16 miles over a Matt Winn Turf Course rated “good” in 1:41.68.

Lagynos relaxed in the pocket behind leader Silent Heart and mild presser Mercante as the leader set fractions of :23.46, :48.11 and 1:11.87. Lagynos, who raced along the rail, made first run on the leaders at the top of the stretch and grabbed command with an eighth of a mile to the finish. He held all challengers at bay to the wire for the seemingly facile victory.

“He’s just a special horse,” Ortiz said. “He gives me so much confidence every time I get on him because he always shows up. He proved that again today. Steve and his entire team have done another tremendous job with him, and I’m just fortunate to be along for the ride.”

Lagynos returned $5, $3.10 and $2.38 as the 3-2 favorite. Mercante, under Florent Geroux, paid $10.72 and $6.34. Dresden Row, under Irad Ortiz Jr., was another half-length back in third and paid $3.04 to show.

Defending Wise Dan champion Brilliant Berti was fourth and was followed by Flying Mohawk, Silent Heart, Fort Washington, Chasing the Crown and Beach Gold.

Lagynos, named for the ancient Greek and Roman ceramic vessel used to pour wine, earned $297,960 for Saturday’s victory and improved his record to 10-5-7 in 28 starts with earnings of $2,682,431.

His other victories this year include the $175,000 Fair Grounds (GIII) and $300,000 Muniz Classic (GII) at Fair Grounds and $350,000 Opening Verse and $275,000 Arlington Stakes (GIII) at Churchill Downs.

He also won the $300,000 Commonwealth Turf (GIII) and $100,000 Woodchopper at age 3 in 2024 and last year’s restricted $500,000 Tapit at Kentucky Downs.

“He and Jose give each other so much confidence,” Asmussen said. “They’re a great combination, and you saw it again today. Five consecutive stakes wins says everything you need to know about this horse. He’s just a super horse.”

Lagynos, a son of Kantharos out of the Speightstown mare Steamy, was bred in Kentucky by Robert Spigel.

The race formerly known as the Firecracker was renamed in 2016 to honor Mort Fink’s two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan, who completed a spectacular racing career with a perfect four-race season in 2014. The Charlie LoPresti-trained gelding by Wiseman’s Ferry compiled a remarkable lifetime record of 23-2-0 in 31 races with earnings of $7,552,920 from 2010-14. He earned seven of those victories from his 11 starts at Churchill Downs, which included a pair of triumphs in the Firecracker that included his successful debut on the grass in its 2011 running and a hedge-skimming victory over yielding turf in a driving rain storm in 2013.

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HARRODSBURG LEADS ALL THE WAY, TURNS BACK FAVORED BUILT IN BANGO

Fresh off a fast allowance victory 36 days ago, Harrodsburg remained in top form when he shot to the front early and led every step of the way to defeat hard-charging 8-5 favorite Built by a half-length in Saturday’s 16th running of the $275,000 Bango (Grade III) at Churchill Downs.

Ridden by Luis Saez, Harrodsburg clocked 6 ½ furlongs over a “sloppy” track in 1:15.95 for trainer Mike Tomlinson and owners Rod Hatfield and Bud Hatfield.

The triumph for the Kentucky-bred gelding was worth $168,105 and boosted Harrodsburg’s bankroll to $670,387 with a record of 7-3-3 in 19 starts.

Breaking from post No. 2 in the field of six sprinters, Harrodsburg broke on top with a length advantage over Gold Sweep down the backstretch and around the turn in :22.90 and :45.36. Built, who chased from third, moved into contention on the turn. Harrodsburg had a length lead at the head of the stretch and refused to give in to Built’s resolute challenge and hung on for the win – his first stakes victory.

“He had to battle today,” Saez said. “He dug in to make sure he stayed in front. He lays it on the line every time and always gives you everything he has.”

Harrodsburg, who entered the race off an allowance/optional-claiming win over “sloppy” going at Churchill Downs on May 22, returned $8.90, $4.18 and $2.88 as the 3-1 third betting choice. Built, under Irad Ortiz Jr. returned $3.28 and $2.44 and finished three lengths in front of U Devil You who paid $3.20 to show under John Velazquez at odds of 5-1.

Gold Sweep, Extra Anejo and 2-1 second choice Dr. Venkman completed the order of finish. Cornucopian, the Aristides (GIII) winner and even-money morning line favorite, was scratched.

Harrodsburg is a 6-year-old son of Constitution out of the Exchange Rate mare Gracer. He was bred by Twin Creeks Farm.

“He’s been a project for us, but the thing that’s so impressive about him is that he tries so hard every time,” Tomlinson said. “He’s very dangerous when he gets on the lead like he did today and battles every step of the way. We’ll let him tell us what to do next, but there are plenty of options for him this summer, whether it’s here at Ellis or Saratoga.”

The Bango Stakes was renamed this year in honor of Churchill Downs’ all-time winningest horse, who won this race in 2021 and 2023. Owned and bred by Fred and Debbie Schwartz’ Tamaroak Partners, Bango won a record 12 races beneath the historic Twin Spires for trainer Greg Foley. A son of Congrats, Bango’s career spanned 42 races while earning $1.6 million.

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PIN UP BETTY REPEATS IN $275,000 ANCHORAGE STAKES

Three Diamond Farm’s 5-year-old homebred filly Pin Up Betty won for the first time in a year when she repeated in Saturday’s fifth running of the $275,000 Anchorage Stakes (Listed) at Churchill Downs with a two-length victory over Way to Be Marie.

Ridden by Flavien Prat for trainer Mike Maker, Pin Up Betty covered 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:48.45, which was the fastest time recorded over the distance and surface at the Spring Meet despite being labeled “good” after area rainfall.

This was the fourth stakes victory of her career, and all have come over the course at Churchill Downs. At 3, she won the $275,000 Regret (GIII). Last year, she prevailed in the $250,000 Old Forester Mint Julep (GIII) and $175,000 Anchorage.

Pin Up Betty went winless in six starts – five against graded stakes company – prior to Saturday’s triumph.

Stylish Sue led the field of nine fillies and mares through an opening quarter in :24.34 did as Pin Up Betty relaxed in seventh. After a half mile in :48.88, Pin Up Betty moved up to fifth and raced comfortably along the two-path about four lengths off the leader. Stylish Sue clocked six furlongs in 1:12.60 as the field turned for home and Pin Up Betty tipped out at the top of the stretch to commence her winning move. She surged past Stylish Sue and a chasing Unmerited Favor with a furlong to the finish and was well clear late as Way to Be Marie and Warming closed late for podium positions.

“She got into a nice rhythm today off the pace and was able to make a big run to the front and get the job done,” Prat said.

Pin Up Betty paid $7.42, $4.72 and $3.04 as the 5-2 betting choice. Way to Be Marie, at 4-1 under Luis Saez, returned $5.08 and $3.26. Warming, ridden by John Velazquez, was another half-length back in third and paid $3.96 to show.

Unmerited Favor, Just Basking, Stylish Sue, Vive Veuve, Settling Storm and Footnote completed the running order. Tirupati was scratched.

Pin Up Betty, who rebounded from a seventh-place finish in the $275,000 Old Forester Mint Julep while forwardly-placed in the early stages, improved her record to 5-6-2 in 24 starts and the $163,920 first prize jumped her earnings to $1,212,015. All five wins have come at Churchill Downs on turf in 10 local starts.

“She has a knack for winning this race,” Maker said. “I’m glad she was able to get the job done again this year. Flavien gave her a good trip. Last time the race was void of speed and we asked her to do something she really didn’t want to do.”

She is a daughter of Constitution out of the Into Mischief mare I’m Betty G and was bred in Kentucky by her owner Kirk Wycoff.

The Anchorage honors the suburb of Louisville, a heavily shaded city in eastern Jefferson County, Ky.

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FAVORITE ALPYLAND WINS $265,000 AMERICAN DERBY

Grade III Penn Mile winner Alpyland added Saturday’s 111th running of the $265,000 American Derby (Listed) to his promising resumé when he surged to the front at the top of the stretch and repelled a challenge by Immortalised (Fr) to win by 3 ½ lengths at Churchill Downs.

Alpyland, odds-on 4-5 favorite, ran 1 1/16 miles over “good” turf in 1:42.29 to collect his fourth stakes win of the year. Javier Castellano rode the winner for trainer Mark Casse and owner Leonard C.  Green’s D. J. Stable LLC.

Thousandsticks led the field of seven 3-year-olds through splits of :23.66, :47.97 and 1:12.54 as Alpyland tracked from second. Alpyland was nudged to improve position midway through the final turn and surged past Thousandsticks with three-sixteenths of a mile to the finish. Immortalised (Fr), who raced in third along the rail down the backstretch, tipped out for a challenge at the furlong marker but was no threat to Alpyland who extended his margin late.

“I was very impressed with him today,” Castellano said. “He impressed me in the Penn Mile and came right back with another big effort this afternoon. I was especially impressed with the way he finished. The sky is the limit for this horse. Mark Casse knows how to do it. He’s an amazing trainer.”

The victory was worth $166,710 and increased Alpyland’s earnings to $724,706 with a record of 6-0-2 in 11 starts.

Alpyland, a Kentucky-bred son of Vekoma out of the Kela mare Il Brigante, paid $3.68, $2.46 and $2.26. Immortalised (Fr), with John Velazquez aboard at 9-2, paid $3.84 and $2.92. Brave Force, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione at 17-1, rallied from last to finish another half-length back in third and returned $5.06.

Bust Out was fourth and was followed by Thousandsticks, Fulmine and Comport. Prepped and Serac were scratched.

In addition to the American Derby and Penn Mile, Alpyland won the $175,000 Dania Beach at Gulfstream Park on New Year’s Day and $125,000 Columbia at Tampa Bay Downs on March 7.

“We’re thrilled for the connections to win this race,” said Casse’s Kentucky assistant Allen Hardy. “He came back and backed up his effort in the Penn Mile with another outstanding performance. He continues to show us what we thought he was capable of.”

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TAM TAM SCORES DOMINANT 5 ¾-LENGTH VICTORY IN $258,500 TEPIN

Rigney Racing LLC’s Tam Tam overcame a three-wide trip into the first turn before making a decisive move down the backstretch and drawing away in the lane to dominante Saturday’s $258,500 Tepin Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Ridden by Junior Alvarado and trained by Phil Bauer, Tam Tam completed the one-mile turf test for 3-year-old fillies in 1:35.36 over a “good” course.

Breaking from post 8, Tam Tam was caught three wide into the first turn but quickly settled into stride as Alvarado advanced alongside pacesetter Faye’s Gold midway down the backstretch. As the duo reached the far turn, Tam Tam took command over the field before powering home to a decisive 5 ¾-length victory.

“She ran a huge race today,” Bauer said. “She was caught a little wide into the turn but drug Junior to the lead down the backside. Her turn of foot was very impressive.”

Sent off as the 2-1 favorite, Tam Tam returned $6.04, $3.54 and $2.72. East Jabip (IRE) completed the exacta followed by Use Me (IRE), Bohemian, Ground Support, Final Accord, How About Now, Turner's Charm, Mescat and Faye's Gold.

Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC, Tam Tam is a bay filly by Medaglia d'Oro out of the Distorted Humor mare Princess Julia.

The victory in the Tepin earned Tam Tam’s connections $162,525 to increase her overall mark to $468,800.

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STEPHEN FOSTER QUOTES

Jose Ortiz, jockey, Magnitude, winner: “He’s an incredible horse. I figured we’d make the lead if he broke well because he has such a high cruising speed. Sometimes he switches leads, but he just keeps fighting. It was another incredible effort from him today.”

Steve Asmussen, trainer, Magnitude, winner: “I’m so incredibly proud of this horse and everyone who has been a part of his journey. He continues to give us everything he has every time he runs. You couldn’t ask for more from a horse like him.”

Ron Winchell, owner, Magnitude, winner: “People have tried to compare him to some of the great horses we’ve had over the years, and he just keeps living up to the hype. I was a little nervous in the stretch, but Jose kept finding more, and so did Magnitude.”

Bill Mott, trainer, Baeza, runner-up / Sovereignty, third: “Baeza doesn’t lay down in the gate—he’s just slow away from there and gave himself a lot to do. As for Sovereignty, he just didn’t have the kick he needed today.”

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FLEUR DE LIS QUOTES

Irad Ortiz Jr., jockey, Immersive, winner: “She got into a good rhythm on the lead and really fought hard to win today.”

Brad Cox, trainer, Immersive, winner: “She ran like the champion we know she is. She really dug in late, was traveling well and responded well to Irad late to get by (Shred the Gnar) and then hold off (Regaled).”

Whit Beckman, trainer, Regaled, runner-up: “I’m really proud of her. She ran a huge race. Tyler had her relaxed to make her big run and she did. She just came up a bit short.

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WISE DAN QUOTES

Jose Ortiz, jockey, Lagynos, winner: “He’s just a special horse. He gives me so much confidence every time I get on him because he always shows up. He proved that again today. Steve and his entire team have done another tremendous job with him, and I’m just fortunate to be along for the ride.”

Steve Asmussen, trainer, Lagynos, winner: “He and Jose give each other so much confidence. They’re a great combination, and you saw it again today. Five consecutive stakes wins says everything you need to know about this horse. He’s just a super horse.”

Florent Geroux, jockey, Mercante, runner-up: “He did everything but win. I thought he ran a great race and kept fighting all the way to the wire.'

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BANGO QUOTES

Luis Saez, jockey, Harrodsburg, winner: “He had to battle today. He dug in to make sure he stayed in front. He lays it on the line every time and always gives you everything he has.”

Mike Tomlinson, trainer, Harrodsburg, winner: “He’s been a project for us, but the thing that’s so impressive about him is that he tries so hard every time. He’s very dangerous when he gets on the lead like he did today and battles every step of the way. We’ll let him tell us what to do next, but there are plenty of options for him this summer, whether it’s here at Ellis or Saratoga.”

Wayne Catalano, trainer, Built, runner-up: “He stumbled at the start, and that really put us behind where we wanted to be. I thought he could’ve been right there, but unfortunately the bad start cost us today.”

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ANCHORAGE QUOTES

Flavien Prat, jockey, Pin Up Betty, winner: “She got into a nice rhythm today off the pace and was able to make a big run to the front and get the job done.”

Mike Maker, trainer, Pin Up Betty, winner: “She has a knack for winning this race. I’m glad she was able to get the job done again this year. Flavien gave her a good trip. Last time the race was void of speed and we asked her to do something she really didn’t want to do.”

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AMERICAN DERBY QUOTES

Javier Castellano, jockey, Alpyland, winner: “I was very impressed with him today. He impressed me in the Penn Mile and came right back with another big effort this afternoon. I was especially impressed with the way he finished. The sky is the limit for this horse. Mark Casse knows how to do it. He’s an amazing trainer.”

Allen Hardy, assistant trainer, Alpyland, winner: “We're thrilled for the connections to win this race. He came back and backed up his effort in the Penn Mile with another outstanding performance. He continues to show us what we thought he was capable of.”

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TEPIN QUOTES

Phil Bauer, trainer, Tam Tam, winner: “She ran a huge race today. She was caught a little wide into the turn but drug Junior to the lead down the backside. Her turn of foot was very impressive.”