Racing fans must wait until the fall to witness the Breeders' Cup World Championships on Kentucky soil. Those wanting a sneak peak of what the $7 million Classic (G1) could look like at Keeneland this year, however, need only to tune in June 27 at Churchill Downs.
What figures to be a loaded edition of the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) next month gained another top-level contender as grade 1 winner Baeza is joining the cast pointing to the 1 1/8 miles race, Robert Clay of co-owner Grandview Equine confirmed May 12.
Should it hold together, the lineup for the Foster is set to feature a plethora of accomplished members of the current handicap ranks. Reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty who, like Baeza, is trained by Bill Mott, is aiming to make his second start of the year in the 9-furlong test where he is expected to face multiple grade 1 winner White Abarrio and Dubai World Cup (G1) hero Magnitude.
Swimming in deep waters is something Baeza is accustomed to, having knocked heads with Sovereignty in last year's Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1), and Jim Dandy Stakes (G2). In his first start since finishing sixth in the 2025 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar, the son of McKinzie ran third in the Alysheba Stakes (G2) on the Kentucky Oaks (G1) undercard May 1, but spotted the field several lengths at the break when it appeared the starting gate sprung open while he was unprepared.
"He didn't break but he still almost got there. Another sixteenth of a mile and he would have gotten there," said Clay, whose Grandview Equine owns Baeza in partnership with C R K Stable. "I don't think he lost a lot. He didn't win the race, but we feel good enough about how he came out of it and how he's doing that we're going to jump in the big pond. That race is setting up to be something else."
Bred by Grandview Equine, Baeza captured the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) last summer to add to his dam's blue hen status. He is out of 2024 Broodmare of the Year Puca and is a half brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage and 2024 Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch . He has two wins from 10 career starts with $1,717,200 in earnings.
