Magnitude gave Jose Ortiz another major-race statement at Churchill Downs on Saturday, making all to win the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Stakes and secure an automatic Breeders’ Cup Classic berth.
The Steve Asmussen-trained four-year-old, owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, broke sharply in the $2million contest and controlled the race from the front on sloppy going. Baeza chased him home in second, with 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty only third, four lengths further back.
It was a result with real weight for the US older-horse division. Magnitude arrived as Dubai World Cup winner, having beaten Forever Young in March, and this 1 1/4-length success at Churchill Downs confirmed him as a central Breeders’ Cup Classic player rather than merely a spring headline.
Magnitude strengthens Classic claims
According to Thoroughbred Daily News’ Stephen Foster report, Ortiz said Magnitude’s high cruising speed made the lead likely if he broke cleanly. That is exactly how the race unfolded, despite the colt breaking through the gate before the start and having to be reloaded.
Asmussen called it a special moment after Magnitude added the Stephen Foster to wins in the Clark Stakes, Razorback Handicap and Dubai World Cup. With Sovereignty and White Abarrio both beaten, the Classic picture now has a new front-running marker.
