Originial Sin held off foes in deep stretch to take the Blame Stakes, Jenny Doyle/Past The Wire
Churchill Downs Press
Calumet Farm’s 4-year-old homebred colt Original Sin withstood several challenges in the stretch to defeat Who Dey by a half-length in Saturday’s seventh running of the $290,000 Blame Stakes (Grade III) at Churchill Downs – the highlight of seven stakes races that comprised Stephen Foster Preview Day.
In his stakes debut, Original Sin, under Tyler Gaffalione for trainer Brendan Walsh, ran 1 1/8 miles over a fast track in 1:49.39. This marked the 39th stakes win at Churchill Downs for legendary Calumet Farm, which is now owned and operated by Brad Kelley.
“It’s always nice to win a graded stakes here and always nice to win it in the Calumet colors,” Walsh said.
Original Sin banked $181,900 for the win and his record now stands at 4-0-2 in eight starts with earnings of $387,735.
Liberal Arts, at 31-1, shook loose and led the field of seven older horses through ordinary early fractions of :23.64 and :47.58 as Original Sin tracked in second about two lengths back down the backstretch. Original Sin collared Liberal Arts midway around the far turn in 1:12.21, but others loomed from behind. Gutsy Ohio-bred Who Dey made the first run with the Bill Mott-trained Capital Idea as Grade III winner Hall of Fame and 2025 Dubai World Cup (GI) winner Hit Show rallied from behind. But the modest pace took its toll on the challengers as Original Sin had plenty of punch left and never relinquished his advantage down the lane.
“All the credit goes to Brendan and his team,” Gaffalione said. “This horse has really turned it on here late. He’s become very convenient and mature. Normally, he leaves himself a lot to do. Today, he got away from there well and was able to use his speed to stay close. He got in a great rhythm and finished up well late to get the job done.”
Original Sin, the 5-1 third betting choice, returned $12.84, $6.72 and $3.14. Who Dey, ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. at odds of 10-1, paid $9.12 and $3.76.
“He ran incredibly well,” said Who Dey’s trained Tommy Drury Jr. “He was really battling late and just ended up being second best today.”
Hit Show, the even-money favorite under Irad Ortiz Jr. who was boxed in behind horses through most of the stretch, finished another length back in third and paid $2.38 to show.
Capital Idea, Liberal Arts, Hall of Fame and Rattle N Roll completed the order of finish. Vibe was scratched.
Original Sin is a Kentucky-bred son of Curlin out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Beauty and Light.
In his previous start, Original Sin won a Keeneland allowance by 2 ¾ lengths over 1 1/8 miles on April 11.
“This horse has been progressing nicely since the fall,” Walsh said. “I thought his best race was last out at Keeneland. I was quietly confident he’d run a big race out of his last one. The key with him is to give him enough time between starts and he was training well coming into this start.”
The race was the highlight of Stephen Foster Preview Day with seven stakes events that serve as preps for other marquee races on Saturday, June 27, including the $2 million Stephen Foster, a coveted Grade I event over 1 1/8 miles for older horses.
The Blame is named after the 2010 Eclipse Award-winning older horse that handed Zenyatta her lone defeat in that year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) at Churchill Downs.
SPLENDORA DOMINATES Grade II, $263,500 SHAWNEE
Splendora, the 6-5 betting favorite, displayed her versatility Saturday at Churchill Downs when the winner of last year’s Grade I Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint won another graded stakes around two turns with a 2 ¾-length victory over Immersive, the champion 2-Year-Old Filly of 2024, in the seventh running of the $263,500 Shawnee (Grade II).
Gin Gin, winner of the Grade I Spinster last fall, led the field of seven fillies and mares through early splits of :23.41, :47.07 and 1:11.38 as Splendora tracked in second about three-quarters of a length back of her right hip down the backstretch. Splendora, with her ears pricked, drew even midway around the turn and kicked three lengths clear at the top of the stretch on her way to victory in 1:42.07 for 1 1/16 miles over a fast track, a stakes record that topped champion Idiomatic’s 2023 mark of 1:42.13.
“She’s a very talented filly who has won short and long, that just speaks to her class,” Prat said. “I sat a pretty good trip today and when I asked her to go she kicked clear.”
Flavien Prat rode the winner for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and owners Randy Boyd’s Boyd Racing LLC and David M. Talla’s By Talla Racing LLC.
Splendora returned $4.78, $2.88 and $2.26. Immersive, under Irad Ortiz Jr. at odds of 5-2, returned $3.62 and $2.60. Majestic Oops, with Francisco Arrieta up at 7-2, was another half-length back in third and paid $2.50.
Take Charge Omaha, Too Much Kiki, Gin Gin and Miss Justify completed the order of finish.
Splendora is a 5-year-old mare by 2020 Kentucky Derby winner Audible out of the Frost Giant mare Miss Freeze. She was bred in Maryland by The Elkstone Group LLC.
With her victory in Saturday’s Shawnee worth $151,900, Splendora improved her record to 14-8-4-0—$1,357,700.
This marked Spendora’s fourth graded stakes win. In addition to Saturday’s Shawnee and last year’s Breeders’ Cup Fuilly & Mare Sprint, she won this year’s $300,000 Beholder Mile (GI) and $200,000 D. Wayne Lukas (GII) at Santa Anita.
In her previous start, Splendora finished fourth and was beaten 10 ½ lengths in the $1 million Derby City Distaff (GI) over seven furlongs on the Kentucky Derby undercard.
“She showed up today,” Baffert said. “She didn’t show up last time and was a little flat. I think she’s the type of horse that needs to be here a little bit and not run off the plane. I was debating on running her here or taking her to the (June 5) Phipps (at Saratoga). It dried up here. She didn’t like the mud too much last week and that’s why I was debating on whether to run her or not. Today the real Splendora showed up.”
The Shawnee Stakes is named after a neighborhood in western Louisville.
STREAKING LAGYNOS POURS IT ON IN GRADE III, $275,000 ARLINGTON
Lagynos, the consistent 5-year-old owned by His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Mishal Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, collected his fourth straight stakes win with a three-quarter length victory over Minaret Station in Saturday’s 90th running of the $275,000 Arlington Stakes (Grade III) at Churchill Downs.
Lagynos, ridden by Jose Ortiz and trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, ran 1 1/16 miles on turf in a stakes record 1:40.08, which eclipsed Mercante’s time of 1:40.89 last year.
Lagynos, named for the ancient Greek and Roman ceramic vessel used to pour wine, earned $163,920 for Saturday’s victory and improved his record to 9-5-7 in 27 starts with earnings of $2,384,471.
His other victories this year include the $175,000 Fair Grounds (GIII) and $300,000 Muniz Classic (GII) at Fair Grounds and $350,000 Opening Verse at Churchill Downs on April 30. He also won the $300,000 Commonwealth Turf (GIII) and $100,000 Woodchopper at age 3 in 2024 and last year’s restricted $500,000 Tapit at Kentucky Downs.
“He always runs with so much confidence,” Asmussen said. “He expects to win and today was another exceptional run. He’s now won four races in a row and is doing his best right now. He’s a barn favorite and everyone appreciates how hard he tries every time.”
Lagynos raced relaxed in fourth down the backstretch as 20-1 longshot Giocoso led the field of nine older horses through fractions of :23.58, :47.64 and 1:11.57. Lagynos surged into contention with a three-wide move around the final turn. Ortiz dropped his hands with a furlong to run and Lagynos responded. Minaret Station, who had one horse beat at the top of the stretch, put in a late challenge but Lagynos had the jump on that rival and prevailed.
“Steve and his team have had him in great form for a long time,” Ortiz said. “It’s a big credit to them. He’s a very consistent horse and always runs his best effort. Everyone at the barn loves him and it makes it even more special every time I get to ride him.”
Lagynos, off as the slight 5-2 favorite, paid $7.18, $3.88 and $2.94. Minaret Station, under Cristian Torres at 4-1, returned $4.84 and $3.76. West Hollywood was another length back in third under Irad Ortiz Jr. at odds of 9-1 and paid $4.64 to show.
Brilliant Berti, Quatrocento, Coal Battle, Anglophile, Mesero and Giocoso completed the running order. Defending champ Mercante was scratched.
Lagynos, a son of Kantharos out of the Speightstown mare Steamy, was bred in Kentucky by Robert Spigel.
DETERMINED SWEET TREASURE WINS GRADE III OLD FORESTER MINT JULEP
Sweet Treasure raced unpressured on the lead, withstood a cut-the-corner challenge from longshot Vina Arana (IRE) and turned back a menacing late charge by Proctor Street to win Saturday’s 50th running of the $275,000 Old Forester Mint Julep Stakes (Grade III) at Churchill Downs by a half-length.
Irad Ortiz Jr. rode Sweet Treasure to victory for trainer Brad Cox and owners Dann Glick’s Full of Run Racing II LLC and Frank Silva. Sweet Treasure covered 1 1/16 miles on “firm” turf in 1:40.29, which eclipsed Pin Up Betty’s 2025 stakes record of 1:40.55.
This was the first stakes victory for Sweet Treasure, who was third in last fall’s Grade III Pebbles at Aqueduct.
“There wasn’t a lot of pace on paper,” Cox said. “She was traveling very well into the first turn and was in a great spot. Irad got her to relax and save energy for the stretch. This is a great group of owners to work for. I’m really happy for the filly and all the connections.”
Sweet Treasure set a measured pace of :24.04, :48.28 and 1:11.87 with no challenges until the final turn. Defending Mint Julep champ Pin Up Betty came within a half-length leaving the turn as 31-1 outsider Vina Arana (IRE) snuck through an opening along the inside to get a head in front. But Sweet Treasure had plenty left for the stretch run as she put away Vina Arana (IRE) with a sixteenth of mile to the finish and turned back a surging Proctor Street, who rallied from fifth.
“There wasn’t a lot of speed early and after we broke well, she took us right to the front,” Cox said. “She relaxed well down the backside and down the lane really fought hard to stay in front.”
Sweet Treasure returned $6.96, $3.98 and $3.22 as the 2-1 favorite. Proctor Street, under Tyler Gaffalione at odds of 7-2, paid $4.50 and $3.30. Vina Arana (IRE), with Adam Beschizza up, was another three-quarters of a length back in third and paid $8.20 to show.
In the Stars was fourth and was followed by Medoro, Favorite Memory (GB) and Pin Up Betty. Charlene’s Dream and Stylish Sue were scratched.
The $166,710 first prize jumped Sweet Treasure’s earnings to $452,448 with a record of 5-0-2 in nine starts.
Sweet Treasure is a Kentucky-bred 4-year-old daughter of Twirling Candy out of the Empire Maker mare Stellium. She was bred by Don Alberto Corporation.
Cornucopian Convincing in GRADE III, $263,500 ARISTIDES
Cornucopian pressured early leader Mad House, put him away leaving the turn and then withstood a challenge from five-time stakes winner Roll On Big Joe to win Saturday’s 38th running of the $263,500 Aristides (Grade III) at Churchill Downs by 1 ¼ lengths.
Off as the odds-on 3-5 favorite, Cornucopian clocked six furlongs on a fast track in 1:08.41 under Flavien Prat, who rode for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and the ownership group of SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor Racing LLC, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC, Catherine Donovan and Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings (Lessee).
Breaking from the rail, Mad House zipped a quick opening quarter mile in :22.20 with Cornucopian determined not to let him get away. Midway around the turn, Cornucopian asserted himself to front and put his head in front after a half-mile in :44.93. Roll On Big Joe, who chased from third, came within a head of Cornucopian from the outside with three-sixteenths of a mile left but the Baffert charge fought gamely down the lane for the convincing win.
“He broke well and was traveling easily around there on the outside,” Prat said. “The pace was pretty fast but he was handling it well and fought hard late.”
Cornucopian paid $3.56, $2.24 and $2.10. Roll On Big Joe, at odds of 5-2 with Julien Leparoux in the saddle, returned $2.74 and $2.36. Gold Sweep was another 1 ¼ lengths back in third under Jose Ortiz at 18-1 and paid $3.54.
They were followed by Tejano Twist, Mad House and defending race champ Durante. Cornucopian’s stablemate Madaket Road was scratched.
This was the second stakes win of Cornucopian’s career. In March, he prevailed in the $100,000 San Carlos (GIII) at Santa Anita. Cornucopian finished fifth in the $1 million Churchill Downs (GI) on the Kentucky Derby undercard in his previous start.
“We threw his race out on Derby Day,” Baffert said. “It was just a disaster. Being here in the Midwest there are a lot of options and winning a graded stakes here at Churchill is always special.”
Cornucopian earned $168,105 for the Aristides triumph and now boasts a record of 7-4-1-0—$462,155.
Cornucopian is a 4-year-old son of Into Mischief out of the Distorted Humor mare Magical World. He was bred in Kentucky by Three Chimneys Farm LLC & Whisper Hill Farm LLC.
The Aristides is a Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen Bonus Series race for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint to be held Saturday, Oct. 31 at Keeneland. The nominated winner will receive a credit of $30,000 toward entry fees into the Breeders’ Cup Sprint with the second and third place finishers receiving a $15,000 and $7,500 credit, respectively.
The Aristides is named in honor of the inaugural Kentucky Derby winner of 1875.
TOUCH OF FIRE TORCHES FOES IN $274,335 AUDUBON
Touch of Fire, owned and bred by Juddmonte, collected his first stakes victory when he surged past pacesetter Thousandsticks and drew away in the stretch to win Saturday’s seventh running of the $274,335 Audubon Stakes (Listed) for 3-year-olds at Churchill Downs by three lengths over Tiernanogue.
Touch of Fire, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. and trained by Brad Cox, covered 1 1/8 miles over “firm” turf in a stakes record 1:46.81, which bested World Beater’s 2025 mark of 1:47.39.
The $165,315 first prize jumped Touch of Fire’s earnings to $285,605 from a record of 3-1-0 in four starts.
Thousandsticks led the field of eight sophomores through early splits of :23.54, :47.38 and 1:11.39 as Touch of Fire tugged his way into second in the clear from the outside. Off the final turn, Touch of Fire surged to draw even with the leader and quickly opened up with three-sixteenths of a mile to finish to easily dispose his rivals.
“I’m very happy with how he ran today,” Ortiz Jr. said. “He broke a touch slow but he was able to put himself in a nice position. I had a lot of horse when I asked him to go in the stretch and he took off.”
Touch of Fire paid $3.88, $2.84 and $2.20 as the 4-5 betting favorite. Tiernanogue, who made her turf debut with Tyler Gaffalione up at odds of 9-1, returned $7.04 and $4.18. Zeppelin was another head back in third under Flavien Prat at 4-1 and paid $3.14 to show.
Thousandsticks, Kravitz, Serac, Baytown Dreamer and My Favorite Bird rounded out the placings. Mr Mo’s Magic and Zihnal were scratched.
Prior to the Audubon, Touch of Fire won a first-level allowance over 1 1/16 miles on grass at Keeneland on April 10. Prior to that, he was second to Black Hornet in the $98,000 Black Gold at Fair Grounds.
“Irad did a great job with him today and gave a great trip,” Cox said. “He is a type of horse that is still learning and improving. There are plenty of options for him moving forward and I think is just going to get better with more experience.”
Touch of Fire, a son of Constitution out of the Medaglia d’Oro mare Mexican Gold, was bred in Kentucky by his owner.
The Audubon is named after a Louisville neighborhood located nearby Churchill Downs.
FAITHFUL DEPARTED RELISHES EXTRA GROUND IN GRADE III, $272,500 REGRET
Faithful Departed split rivals at the top of the stretch, surged down the lane and relished nine furlongs on her way to victory in Saturday’s 57th running of the $272,500 Regret Stakes (Grade III) at Churchill Downs by 2 ¼ lengths over Storm’s Wake in stakes record time.
Trained by Grant Forster and ridden by Jose Ortiz, the improving Faithful Departed covered 1 1/8 miles on “firm” turf in 1:46.23, which easily dispatched Fionn’s 2025 stakes mark of 1:47.29.
This marked the second straight win for Faithful Departed, who won a first-level allowance at Churchill Downs over 1 1/16 miles on turf on April 26 for owners Frank Ferrogine, Richard Rendina, Nick Coniglio and Greywood Farms LLC’s Robert K. Johnson, Joseph Haselton and Britt Haselton.
Surprise Ending, at 29-1, dictated the terms early on through modest and unpressured early fractions of :23.43, :47.44 and 1:11.34 as Faithful Departed raced in fourth down the backstretch along the rail. When Trust Account collared Surprise Ending leaving the final turn, Faithful Departed found an opening between those two rivals and rushed to the front. She got the jump with three-sixteenths of a mile to the finish as Storm’s Wake and Edgewood (GII) runner-up Tam Tam chased without success.
“I had a good trip,” Ortiz said. “She broke well and I was able to save ground. Turning for home I just kept waiting for a hole to open up. Finally, a spot came open at the rail and she took off.”
Faithful Departed rewarded her backers with $10.94, $5.44 and $3.30 as the 4-1 fourth betting choice. Storm’s Wake, under Luis Saez at 3-1, returned $4.40 and $2.68. Tam Tam, the 2-1 favorite with Junior Alvarado in the saddle, finished another length back in third and paid $2.94.
Indigo Woods (IRE), Trust Account, Dandona and Surprise Ending completed the order of finish. Call On Me and Lilo Lil were scratched.
With her victory worth $166,710, Faithful Departed boosted her career earnings to $286,189 from a record of 3-1-0 in seven starts.
Faithful Departed is a daughter of Yoshida (JPN) out of the Heatseeker (IRE) mare Speed Seeker and was bred in Kentucky by co-owner Robert K. Johnson.
“I’m so happy for the owners,” Forster said. “This horse is now a graded stakes winner, just like her dam. It makes it even more special that she’s a homebred. We were excited to try her stretching out in distance and hoped she’d handle it as well as she did today. It was a good ride by a future hall of fame jockey. Once a spot opened up for her at the top of the lane she really responded well to Jose.”
The Regret honors the 1915 Kentucky Derby-winning filly.
