Lagynos Rockets to Fifth Straight Victory in Wise Dan

HRH Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud's Lagynos improved his win streak to five in a row after digging in to secure a victory in the $500,000 Wise Dan Stakes (G2T) June 27 at Churchill Downs. Piloted by Jose Ortiz, Lagynos was fourth after the opening quarter-mile of the 1 1/16-mile turf race, before continuing to stalk the pace from third behind front-runner Silent Heart and eventual second-place finisher Mercante after a half-mile. On the second turn, he got into gear, and quickly responded to his rider's urging to take command in the stretch and finish three-quarters of a length ahead of Mercante at the finish. Dresden Row was a half-length farther back in third. Lagynos, a 5-year-old son of Kantharos, ran a time of 1:41.68 over turf rated good, while paying $5.00 to win as the favorite on a $2 ticket. Early fractions in the race set by Silent Heart were :23.46, :48.11, and 1:11.87. Winning trainer Steve Asmussen emphasized the high level of confidence the streaking Lagynos has, and that Ortiz has in the horse. "He gives me so much confidence every time I get on him because he always shows up," the rider said. Prior to the Wise Dan, Lagynos won the May 30 Arlington Stakes (G3T) and the April 30 Opening Verse Stakes at Churchill Downs following a winter and spring campaign in Louisiana, where he took the March 21 Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes (G2T) and the Feb. 14 Fair Grounds Stakes (G3T) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. "They're obviously doing everything right," Asmussen said. "We're unbelievably fortunate to have a horse like this with his consistency, and he came through for us today." Asmussen plans to take Lagynos to Saratoga Race Course this summer, as he did in 2025. He said the Aug. 8 Fourstardave Stakes (G1T) is "most likely." Lagynos ran seventh in the Fourstardave last year. The winner, bred by Robert Spiegel out of the Speightstown mare Steamy, won for the 10th time in 28 starts and boosted his earnings to $2,682,431. Chad Schumer, as agent, bought Lagynos at auction from the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $200,000 from the Valkyre Stud consignment. Lagynos is the top performer for Kantharos this year as he is his sire's lone graded winner. Kantharos stood this breeding season for $10,000 at Hill 'n' Dale Farms in Paris, Ky.