LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Kingsbarns just keeps checking boxes. The Todd Pletcher-trained Spendthrift Farm 4-year old won the Grade II Louisiana Derby last year and the Grade III Ben Ali at Keeneland this year.
On Saturday at Churchill Downs, he checked the Grade I box with a 2 ½ length victory in the $1 million 43rd running of the Stephen Foster, rushing past leaders First Mission and Skippylongstocking around the far turn and cruising home for his sixth win in nine career starts. Pyrenees, who beat Kingsbarns last time out in the Pimlico Special, wound up taking second.
It was the first win in the Foster for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Luis Saez. The win-and-you’re-in victory for the Breeders Cup Classic boosts Kingsbarns’ career earnings to $1.559 million.
It was also a big comeback from his only other race at Churchill Downs, when he came into last year’s Kentucky Derby a contender but finished 14th, the only time in his career he’s finished worse than second.
The field heads into the first turn during the Grade I Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs on June 29, 2024.
“We’re extremely proud of this horse’s effort and for the entire team behind him,” Pletcher said. “Obviously winning a Grade I is a tremendous accomplishment. I think we’ve seen this year he’s been able to settle better than when he was a 3-year-old and show that new dimension. He sat a perfect trip today and really kicked well when turning for home.”
First Mission, trained by Brad Cox, went to the early lead and set reasonable fractions with Skippylongstocking just to his outside. Kingsbarns sat comfortably in fourth place just behind and to the outside of those.
“There wasn’t a whole lot of speed in the race so I knew we had to be closer to the pace,” said Saez. “Around the far turn he really found his stride nicely and took me from there.”
The win is obviously welcome news for Spendthrift.
“Obviously we’re in the stallion business,” Spendthrift Farm general manager Ned Toffey said. “And winning a Grade I means we have to get a stall ready for him in the stud barn when he finishes his racing career. . . . The way the stallion market has gotten, it’s tough to stand one that doesn’t have that Grade I on their resume. You can do it, but, boy, there’s a lot of heavy lifting that you have to do to get that horse an opportunity to be successful. So the Grade I, he’s by Uncle Mo, he’s out of a Tapit mare, he has so many of the pieces you need to fill that resume out to make him appeal to breeders.”
As for what’s next, Toffey said, “We’ll let Todd make that recommendation. Ultimately it’s Eric Gustaffson and Tammy, that own Spendthrift, that make the final call but we tend to defer to the trainer. He’s the guy who’s in the barn day-in and day-out and knows what’ going on with the horse better than anybody.”
Kingsbarns, who went off at 9-1, paid $21.90, $9.20 and $5.44. Pyrenees, with Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard was second and returned $12.10 and $4.64. Skippylongstocking paid $4.66 to show.
Connections of Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan received their engraved replica trophies on June 29, 2024, at Churchill Downs.
ENGRAVED DERBY TROPHIES PRESENTED: Just before the Foster, it was a day for good memories for trainer Ken McPeek, jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., their families, and the Lance and Sharilyn Gasaway, owners of of Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan.
Ken McPeek and family take a glance at his engraved Kentucky Derby replica trophy.
The engraved winning trophy for the Kentucky Derby was presented to the group, along with engraved replica trophies for McPeek, Hernandez and owners.
“it’s a blessing,” Lance Gasaway said. “We went to the Kentucky Derby Museum earlier, and like you said, you’re into history now, and to see what they’ve done in there, they did a great job on the presentation and all. . . . This makes it real. Coming into the paddock area and seeing the name up there, makes it come to life.”
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