Magnitude (USA, 4-year-old colt, trained by Steve Asmussen), the American horse that defeated Japan’s Horse of the Year Forever Young in March’s Dubai World Cup, is targeting the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1, dirt 1,800m) at Churchill Downs on June 27. The Daily Racing Form’s digital edition reported this on April 12.
Trainer Steve Asmussen commented, “He’s training beautifully. I couldn’t be more excited about how he’s performed so far this year and what he can do for the rest of the season. Since he’s currently training at Churchill Downs, the Stephen Foster Stakes is very likely his next start.”
The Stephen Foster Stakes is expected to feature Sovereignty (USA, 4-year-old colt, trained by Bill Mott), winner of last year’s Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes and crowned U.S. Horse of the Year; White Abarrio (USA, 7-year-old gelding, trained by S. Joseph Jr.), the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner who defeated Sovereignty in last month’s G2 Oaklawn Handicap; and Baeza (USA, 4-year-old colt, trained by Bill Mott), a third-place finisher in last year’s Kentucky Derby who beat Magnitude in the Pennsylvania Derby.
For Magnitude, the Dubai World Cup winner, this presents a rematch and a chance for revenge against Sovereignty, who defeated him by more than 10 lengths in last summer’s G1 Travers Stakes, where Magnitude finished third.
