Cornucopian held off a gutsy challenge from Roll On Big Joe to take the $263,500 Aristides Stakes (G3) May 30 at Churchill Downs.
Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, the 4-year-old son of Into Mischief vied for the lead early, but ultimately settled just off the leader Mad House, who posted an opening fraction of :22.20. Under jockey Flavien Prat, Cornucopian took command on the far turn, and was in front but was being closely tracked by Roll On Big Joe as the field hit the top of the stretch.
The two continued to battle, but Cornucopian eventually outkicked his rival to hit the wire 1 1/4 lengths in front, running the 6 furlongs in a final time of 1:08.41. As the post-time favorite, he paid $3.56 for the win. Roll On Big Joe had to settle for second, and Gold Sweep finished third.
"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."
Owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Bashor Racing, Determined Stables, Robert Masterson, Tom Ryan, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, and Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings-Lessee, Cornucopian was a $1.1 million purchase by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, and Madaket Stable at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He finds himself back in the winner's circle after a disappointing fifth-place finish in the May 2 Churchill Downs Stakes (G1).
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Sweet Treasure Scores in Mint Julep
In the $269,500 Mint Julep Stakes (G3T), Sweet Treasure scored a front-running victory.
As the post-time favorite, the Brad Cox trainee broke sharply under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. and set the pace, posting fractions of :24.04, :48.28, 1:11.87, and 1:34.35. As the field hit the stretch, she was confronted by several rivals, but she dug in and held off all her competitors. The daughter of Twirling Candy hit the wire a half-length in front. She completed the 1 1/16 miles in a final time of 1:40.29 and paid $6.96 for the win. Proctor Street made a stretch rally but had to settle for second, and longshot Vina Arana ran third.
“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."
Owned by Full of Run Racing and Frank Silva, Sweet Treasure earned her first stakes victory.
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