Horse Racing
Kingsbarns wins Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs, earns spot in Breeders’ Cup Classic
Kingsbarns’ second try at Churchill Downs was a winner.
With Luis Saez riding, Kingsbarns took the lead at the quarter-pole and pulled away to win Saturday’s $1 million, Grade 1 Stephen Foster by 2 1/2 lengths.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Kingsbarns covered the 1 1/8 miles on a fast dirt track in 1:48.09 and paid $21.90 on a $2 win wager.
In his only previous start at Churchill Downs, Kingsbarns finished 14th in the 2023 Kentucky Derby. It’s the only time he’s finished worse than second in nine career starts.
“We felt for a long time this was a very good horse, a little unlucky here and there,” said Ned Toffey, general manager of Spendthrift Farm. “Maybe hasn’t been just right. He put it all together today and was very fun to watch.”
On Saturday, 4-5 favorite First Mission and Skippylongstocking battled early on the front end, with First Mission setting fractions of 24.13 seconds for the quarter-mile, 48.38 seconds for the half-mile and 1:11.86 for three quarters.
Saez and Kingsbarns made their move on the second turn and never looked back.
“Around the far turn he really found his stride nicely and just took me from there,” Saez said. “He fought hard down the entire stretch.”
Pyrenees rallied to finish second and was followed by Skippylongstocking and First Mission.
The victory gave Kingsbarns an automatic spot in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic set for Nov. 2 at Del Mar.
A 4-year-old son of Uncle Mo, Kingsbarns is now 6-2-0 in nine career starts for Spendthrift Farm. Kingsbarns entered off a second-place finish behind Pyrenees in the Grade 3 Pimlico Special on May 17.
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com. Follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ.
More horse racing: Bob Baffert speaks on Churchill Downs suspension: ‘I’m at their mercy basically’
20/7/2024 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets – Rosehill, Winter Challenge day
 "BCCI want Test specialists to play domestic cricket; Rohit, Virat, Bumrah to be exceptions")
BCCI want Test specialists to play domestic cricket; Rohit, Virat, Bumrah to be exceptions
HORSE RACING DAY 5: Andrew Champagne’s picks, analysis, bankroll
HORSE RACING DAY 5: Andrew Champagne’s picks, analysis, bankroll
600 Jobs, 25,000 Seekers: Air India Drive Sets Off Stampede Fear In Mumbai
More Trips, Higher Prices: Business Travel Spending May Finally Top 2019 Levels
Let’s take this offline: why indie fashion boutiques are back in fashion
Blue Jays balance college-heavy Draft with a few high-upside picks
Get to Know Gopher Men’s Basketball’s Frank Mitchell – University of Minnesota Athletics
