Magnitude Early Breeders Cup Favorite Following Win At Churchill Downs
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- Sports Money Magnitude Early Breeders Cup Favorite Following Win At Churchill Downs By Danny Brewer,
- Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights.
- Coming into the grade 1 $2million Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs, Magnitude faced a short but very talented field.
Sports Money Magnitude Early Breeders Cup Favorite Following Win At Churchill Downs By Danny Brewer,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Danny Brewer has been covering Thoroughbred/horse racing since 2006.Follow Author Jun 28, 2026, 07:03pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Summary Magnitude has emerged as an early favorite for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic after a dominant wire-to-wire victory in the Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs. The four-year-old, trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Jose Ortiz, defeated a talented field including Kentucky Derby champion Sovereignty and Breeders' Cup Classic winner White Abarrio. Magnitude showcased his eagerness by breaking through the gate early, then easily led throughout the mile and an eighth race, finishing a length and a half clear. This win marks his third consecutive victory in 2026, following impressive performances in the Razorback Handicap and the Dubai World Cup, where he bested top international competitor Forever Young. Magnitude now boasts eight wins from fourteen career starts and over $9.7 million in earnings, with the Whitney Stakes likely next.
Magnitude was much the best against a star-studded field in the Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill DownsJulie Clark Coady PhotographyThe $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.