06/02/26 Barn Notes
Compiled by Robert Yates
Cornucopian’s second career triple-digit Beyer Speed Figure equated to his second career stakes victory.
A dazzling Oaklawn debut winner, Cornucopian drew clear in deep stretch to capture the six-furlong $275,000 G3-Aristides Stakes for older horses Saturday at Churchill Downs. The 3-5 favorite under Flavien Prat, Cornucopian finished 1 ¼ lengths ahead of multiple Oaklawn stakes winner Roll On Big Joe, with Oaklawn stakes winner Gold Sweep another 1 ¼ lengths farther back in third.
Cornucopian’s winning time of 1:08.41 generated a preliminary Beyer Speed Figure of 103, a career high. Cornucopian ran the fastest six furlongs in Oaklawn history for a 3-year-old maiden (1:09.02) in a front-running 5 ¾-length debut romp Feb. 23, 2025, for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. Cornucopian received a 101 Beyer Speed Figure for that performance.
Following his maiden victory, Cornucopian made his final two 2025 starts in route races, finishing fourth in the $1.5 million G1-Arkansas Derby in March and second in an entry-level allowance in April at Aqueduct. Cornucopian opened 2026 with an allowance victory at 6 ½ furlongs Jan. 31 at Santa Anita and a victory in the seven-furlong G3-San Carlos Stakes March 29 at Santa Anita. Cornucopian was exiting a fifth-place finish in the seven-furlong G1-Churchill Downs Stakes May 2.
The Aristides was the fourth victory in seven lifetime starts for Cornucopian ($3.56) and raised his earnings $462,155. The son of Into Mischief, a $1.1 million purchase at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, races for a slew of high-profile owners, including Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables and Stonestreet Stables.
Cornucopian headlined a strong showing for Oaklawn-raced horses on the Stephen Foster Preview Day card, which featured seven stakes races.
In other stakes results involving Oaklawn-raced horses, Original Sin ($12.84) won the $300,000 G3-Blame for older runners at 1 1/8 miles for trainer Brendan Walsh, favored Lagynos ($7.18) won the $275,000 G3-Arlington for older horses at 1 1/16 miles on the turf for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen and Majestic Oops finished third in the $300,000 G2-Shawnee for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles. Oaklawn allowance winner Hit Show finished third in the Blame.
Original Sin finished third in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight for 2-year-olds in December 2024 at Oaklawn for trainer Brad Cox. Lagynos made two starts in 2024 Kentucky Derby qualifying races at Oaklawn, finishing sixth in the $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes and ninth in the $1.25 million Rebel Stakes (G2). Both races were 1 1/16 miles. Future Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan finished fifth in the 2024 Smarty Jones.
Majestic Oops is a three-time Oaklawn stakes winner, including the $400,000 Azeri (G2) March 7.
Finish Lines
Oaklawn-raced Om N Joy ($19.20) won the $200,000 Santa Margarita Stakes for fillies and mares, 3 and up, at 1 1/8 miles Saturday at Santa Anita. Oaklawn-raced Simply Joking finished second. … Favored Oaklawn-raced Maycocks Bay ($4.10) won the $175,000 G2-Eclipse Stakes or older horses at 1 1/16 miles over an all-weather surface Saturday at Woodbine. … Favored millionaire Oaklawn allowance winner Stronghold ($3) captured the seven-furlong $100,000 G3-Triple Bend Stakes for 3-year-olds Sunday at Santa Anita. … In a matchup of three 3-year-old maiden special weight graduates this season at Oaklawn, American Man ($7.40) was a two-length winner over favored Munnings Challenge in Friday’s eighth race at Churchill Downs, an entry-level allowance at six furlongs. Doublecents finished 2 ½ lengths farther back in third. Dallas Stewart trains American Man, a winner of two of three career starts. … Multiple Oaklawn stakes winner Haulin Ice finished third in the $100,000 Rehoboth Stakes Saturday at Delaware Park. … Oaklawn-raced Iron Dome is the 5-2 program favorite for the $200,000 Commentator Stakes for New York-breds Wednesday at Saratoga. Oaklawn-raced Wynstock is also entered in the 1 1/8-mile race. … Oaklawn-raced Five G is entered in the $200,000 Mount Vernon Stakes Wednesday at Saratoga. … Oaklawn stakes winner Goodall is entered in the six-furlong $175,000 Jersey Girl Stake Thursday at Saratoga. … Oaklawn stakes winner Parchment Party (main-track only entrant) is the 3-5 program favorite for the $250,000 G2-Belmont Gold Cup Stakes at 2 miles on the turf Thursday at Saratoga. Oaklawn-raced Tawny Port is also entered.
