Cornucopian Turns Back Roll On Big Joe in Aristides

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). 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 (IRE) 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. Faithful Departed CaptureS Regret Under jockey Jose Ortiz, Faithful Departed made it two in a row in the $272,500 Regret Stakes (G3T). The 3-year-old daughter of Yoshida (JPN) sat fourth through the first three-quarters of the race while the leader Surprise Ending posted fractions of :23.43, :47.44, and 1:11.34. Faithful Departed continued to track down the backside, and the Grant Forster trainee made up a ton of ground on the turn. She hit the stretch a length in front, while shooting clear and leaving the rest of the field in her wake. She won by 2 1/4 lengths, hitting the wire in a final time of 1:46.23 for the 1 1/8 mile on the turf. Owned by Frank Ferrogine, Richard Rendina, Nick Coniglio, and Greywood Farms, Faithful Departed paid $10.94 to win. "I'm so happy for the owners," Foster shared. "This horse is now a graded stakes winner, just like her dam. It makes it even more special that she's a homebred. We were excited to try her stretching out in distance and hoped she'd handle it as well as she did today. It was a good ride by a future Hall of Fame jockey. Once a spot opened up for her at the top of the lane, she really responded well to Jose." Lagynos makes it four in a row In the nightcap, Lagynos brought home his fourth straight victory in the $275,000 Arlington Stakes (G3T). Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the 5-year-old son of Kantharos sat third early as the leader Giocoso carved out fractions of :23.58, 47.64 and 1:11.57. Under Jose Ortiz, Lagynos continued to bide his time down the backstretch, tracking comfortably. As the field turned for home, he started his rally, took the lead, and was well clear of all challengers. Minaret Station tried to rally, but it was too little, too late, and had to settle for second. Lagynos scored by three-quarters of a length, running the 1 1/16 miles on the turf in 1:40.08. Breaking from the gate as the post-time favorite, he paid $7.18 for the win. "He always runs with so much confidence," Asmussen said. "He expects to win and today was another exceptional run. He's now won four races in a row and is doing his best right now. He's a barn favorite and everyone appreciates how hard he tries every time." Owned by HRH Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud, Lagynos has only been defeated once this year, in his first start Jan. 17 in the Colonel E. R. Bradley Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.