The $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, to be run in late October at Keeneland, has an early favorite following Magnitude’s powerful win in the Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs. In defeating the likes of 2025 Kentucky Derby champion Sovereignty, 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic and 2025 Pegasus World Cup winner White Abarrio, and 2025 Pennsylvania Derby victor Baeza, Magnitude has run his way into a favorite’s role among North American-based older horses.
The Break The Key In Gate To Wire Win In Stephen Foster
Coming into the grade 1 $2million Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs, Magnitude faced a short but very talented field. All four horses opposing him had graded stakes victories to their credit and 2025 Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty was among them. Feeling as if he was the best horse in the race, there was only one option for this son of Not this Time. Break like a shot, make the early lead, and play catch me if you can.
Geared up and ready to rock, Magnitude actually broke through the starting gates before they opened, demonstrating his eagerness to get rolling. Immediately assuming the lead once the gates opened for real under jockey Jose Ortiz, this Steve Asmussen trainee took them to the backstretch while making it look rather easy. Rolling through a relaxed opening quarter (23.88) and easy half mile (47.38), Magnitude enjoyed a 3-length lead at the top of the stretch. When the real running started with a quarter mile to go in this mile and an eighth journey, Magnitude still had gas in his tank. Pulling clear from his pursuers, this Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC. owned four-year-old glided to the wire in a geared down fashion. An closing Baeza finished a length and a half behind, but there was no doubt that Magnitude was much the best in this one.
“I’m so incredibly proud of this horse and everyone who has been a part of his journey”, says Steve Asmussen. “He continues to give us everything he has every time he runs.”
Foster Win Validates Earlier Achievements For Magnitude
The Foster score now makes Magnitude a perfect 3 for 3 in 2026. He began the year with a 3 ¾ length win in the Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park on February 28. He then really flexed his muscle with a gate-to-wire dazzle in the Dubai World Cup on March 28. That win was especially impressive as he packed his bags and went half way around the world to take on Forever Young, arguably the most accomplished older horse in the world. From the get-go, the winner of over $31 million on the track chased Winchell’s wonder around the mile and a quarter, but just couldn’t catch him.
Returning back to the United States, many wondered if Magnitude could handle the rigorous travels and this decorated Foster field in his first start back after Dubai. A minute and forty-eight seconds after the gates opened for the eleventh race at Churchill Downs on June 27, everyone got their answer.
The Stephen Foster marked the fourth win in a row for Magnitude and now marks his ledger as eight wins, two second place finishes, and one third place in fourteen career outings. He has earned $9,782,365 on the track and will likely head to Saratoga for the Whitney Stakes on August 8.