After at most a passing thought of a run within the Kentucky Derby (G1) following his runner-up end within the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), the connections of Stark Distinction will as an alternative preserve the son of Caravaggio in his consolation zone with a begin within the $1 million American Turf Stakes (G1T) Might 2 at Churchill Downs.
The 1 1/16-mile take a look at has drawn 14 3-year-olds and Stark Distinction is essentially the most achieved of that group with two stakes wins, together with a grade 3 rating, in addition to a grade 1 putting when he defeated all United States-based horses within the Oct. 31 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) when second to Gstaad .
Stark Distinction had secured a spot within the prime 20 of the Street to the Kentucky Derby factors record however reasonably than attempt the 1 1/4-mile basic, he’ll keep on the turf, the place he has landed all three of his wins so far. He earned these factors from his second-place end within the Jeff Ruby on the all-weather floor at Turfway Park.
“We by no means actually gave the (Kentucky) Derby any thought this yr,” stated coach Michael McCarthy, who was happy with the Jeff Ruby effort. “I assumed he ran an excellent second that day to Fulleffort. He has come again and educated very, very effectively right here.”
On Saturday Amerman Racing Stables’ Stark Distinction will attempt to safe his preliminary grade 1 victory. He’ll decide up the providers of two-time reigning Eclipse Award winner Flavien Prat for the primary time.
“He is clearly come handy right here, however I am not going to say he is exceeded expectations, as a result of the expectations have been excessive for him,” McCarthy stated of the homebred out of the grade 2-placed High quality Street  mare Catch the Eye. Stark Distinction’s second dam, Turns My Head, is a half sister to 2014 American Turf winner World View .
Stark Distinction is considered one of three Southern California-based runners as McCarthy additionally will saddle longshot Let’s Be Frank , who continues to be a maiden however grade 2-placed; and Bob Baffert will ship out Greenwich Village , a son of High quality Street, off back-to-back stakes wins at Santa Anita Park in his first two begins on the grass.Â
The one two runners getting into the American Derby off of graded stakes wins of their earlier races are C R Okay Secure’s Keep in mind Mamba and Repole Secure’s Last Rating , who will make his seasonal debut.
Keep in mind Mamba stayed undefeated in three begins, all on turf, when the son of Kitten’s Pleasure rallied from eighth to seize the Transylvania Stakes (G3T) April 3 at Keeneland for coach Cherie DeVaux. Last Rating is undefeated in his three turf begins however might be racing for the primary time since profitable the Bourbon Stakes (G2T) in October at Keeneland.
Additionally entered Saturday are the second-, third-, and fourth-place runners from the Transylvania in Honey Dutch , Vasy , and Avenue Beast , respectively.
Entries: American Turf S. (G1T)Churchill Downs, Saturday, Might 02, 2026, Race 9Grade IT1 1/16mTurf $1,000,0003 yo4:06 PM (native)
