2025 Kentucky Derby champion Sovereignty headlines a powerful field in the grade 1 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs
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Some of the top older Thoroughbreds in the world will be running beneath the twin spires of Churchill Downs as the Stephen Foster offers a potential Breeders’ Cup Classic preview. Featuring the likes of last year’s Kentucky Derby champion Sovereignty, a star-studded five horse field will line up in Louisville and run for their share of a $2 million purse. Because the Foster is part of the Breeders’ Cup “win and you’re in” series, the victor will receive automatic entry into the $7 million Classic, which will be contested at Keeneland on October 31. This mile and an eighth run over the main track was inaugurated in 1982 and has long been a stepping stone towards Breeders’ Cup glory and beyond. All five entrants have enjoyed wins at the graded Stakes level and have combined to win over $25.6 million on the track. The Foster is slated as race 11 on a blockbuster 12 race card that features 7 Stakes races. The expected post time is 6:03 pm eastern. Let’s take a look at the runners and provide a thought on each. They will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line.
Has won two in a row including the Kentucky Turf Cup on synthetic surface at Turfway. Consistently there at the end as this son of Lookin at Lucky has been in the top four in ten of his last eleven starts. We like the rider but are looking elsewhere for the winner.
ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard White Abarrio celebrates after winning the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic race at Santa Anita Park on November 04, 2023 in Arcadia, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Some thought he was washed up after a four race losing streak and then BAM, he defeats Sovereignty and Journalism handily in the Oaklawn Handicap in his last start. Breeders’ Cup Classic (2023) and Pegasus World Cup (2025) wins means he shows up on big days. If he runs to form, he might just be the right one here. One to have in all your exotic wagers.
Hit the three-year-old trifecta last year by winning the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Travers. Missed the Breeders’ Cup Classic because of a fever and came back to finish second in Oaklawn Handicap in his first start at four. No doubt has talent, but how will he progress in this older horse division? Six wins and three second place finishes in ten career starts says have him on your superfecta ticket for sure. Absolutely can win here, but not our top selection.
Baeza figured himself out in winning the grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby in 2025.
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This is the wild card of the race. Brilliant in sections of every start of his career, this son of McKinzie has been good enough to make you think he can do great things as he has finished in the top three in eight of ten carer starts. One of his two wins came in the Pennsylvania Derby last year and his fans thought the light bulb had come on for good. Then he was a non-threatening sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and finished a hard charging third in the Alysheba Stakes in his four-year-old debut. The most likely to pull the upset here and we say play him across the board, especially at the price he could be at post time.
Magnitude has won three races in a row including the Dubai World Cup in his last start
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Has won three in a row with the latest being a gate-to-wire run in the Dubai World Cup on March 28 where he held off Forever Young. Jockey is one of the best in the game and if gets loose on the front end, this son of Not This Time might make it look easy. Only question is how does he perform in his first start since that long trip to Dubai. Recent works say he will be just fine. The one to beat and our top selection.
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