Cornucopian Looms Large in Churchill's Bango

Bob Baffert's $1.1 million colt Cornucopian will return hungry for another graded stakes victory when he battles stakes winners Dr. Venkman and Built in the $275,000 Bango Stakes (G3) going 6 1/2 furlongs June 27 at Churchill Downs. Cornucopian, a 4-year-old son of Into Mischief, is 3-for-4 this season, with two of those victories coming in grade 3 races. He will be returning from a last-out victory in the Aristides Stakes (G3) May 30 at Churchill Downs in which he defeated fellow Bango returnee Gold Sweep and four others. Before that start, he finished fifth in the May 2 Churchill Downs Stakes (G1), which followed two wins from the Baffert trainee in California, including in the San Carlos Stakes (G3) March 29 at Santa Anita Park. At 3, he put up a fourth-place effort in last year's Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park, following an intense speed duel. Bred by Three Chimneys Farm and Whisper Hill Farm out of the Distorted Humor mare Magical World, Cornucopian is a half brother to multiple grade 1 winner and millionaire Guarana. Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni bought the colt for $1.1 million at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale out of the Gainesway consignment for owners SF Racing, Starlight Racing, and Madaket Stable. Other partners have joined them in ownership to race him. The well-seasoned Dr. Venkman, trained by Mark Glatt, is set to return from a nearly eight-month layoff after his third-place finish in the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar. The 6-year-old gelded son of Ghostzapper is coming off a successful 2025 season, finishing on the board in five of six starts, all in graded stakes. Among those efforts ahead of his Breeders' Cup bid was a second in the Sept. 28 Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G2), which followed a victory in the Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2) Aug. 23 at Del Mar. Also a grade 2 winner at 4, he took the 2024 San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar, where he beat heavy favorite Arabian Knight for winning owners Dan Agnew, Clint Bunch, Mark Cohen, and James Hailey. The Wayne Catalano-trained Built is in good form coming off an impressive allowance optional claiming win May 21 at Churchill Downs, when he drew clear by 4 3/4 lengths. Previously finishing third in the St. Matthews Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs, the 4-year-old son of Hard Spun competes after compiling a 2-for-4 record this year. As a 3-year-old in 2025, he competed in four graded stakes races, highlighted by a second-place finish in the Lecomte Stakes (G3), and a third-place finish in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots for owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. Going back to his 2-year-old season, Built flashed talent by winning the 2024 Gun Runner Stakes to close out a 2-for-3 juvenile campaign. Other contenders include Harrodsburg and Extra Anejo.