Lagynos delivered a stellar performance in the Grade 3 Commonwealth Turf at Churchill Downs, showcasing his impressive closing ability to secure his first stakes victory. The three-year-old colt covered the 1 1/16-mile turf race in a stakes record time of 1:40.83, eclipsing the previous record set by Heart to Heart in 2014.
Under the skilled guidance of jockey Flavien Prat and Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, Lagynos defeated Evade by three-quarters of a length to claim the $286,005 prize. This much-deserved win adds to his consistent record in graded stakes, making him an exciting name to watch for fans of horse racing odds.
A Seam Opens for Lagynos in an Intense Stretch Run
Lagynos broke from the gate smoothly and settled in sixth position as My Boy Prince set the early pace, clocking fractions of :23.08, :47.34, and 1:11.23. As the field turned for home, it found himself full of run but bottled up in traffic.
A critical seam opened in the stretch between My Boy Prince and Piper’s Factor, and Lagynos capitalized with a powerful kick to take the lead at the eighth pole. He cruised to the finish line, leaving Evade in his wake.
Asmussen praised the horses’ perseverance, noting his ability to overcome difficult trips in prior starts. Jockey Flavien Prat credited the horse’s patience and finishing strength, pointing out how Lagynos stayed composed and surged at the right moment.
Impressive Stats and a Breakthrough Season
This victory was Lagynos’ first stakes win after a series of notable performances earlier this year. He previously finished second in the Audubon Stakes and Hall of Fame Stakes and earned third-place finishes in the Transylvania and American Turf. His consistency and ability to perform against top-tier fields have earned him a solid reputation on the horse racing schedule.
Owned by HRH Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, Lagynos brought home $180,350 from this race, pushing his career earnings to $700,553. Bred in Kentucky by Robert Spiegel, Lagynos is a son of Kantharos out of the Speightstown mare Steamy. As the third betting choice at 7-2, he paid $9.12 to win, $4.82 to place, and $3.32 to show.
Evade finished second under Luan Machado, returning $6.44 to place and $3.70 to show at odds of 5-1. Ak Sar Ben Derby completed the trifecta with a show payout of $6.78 at odds of 16-1. The order of finish was completed by Piper’s Factor, My Boy Prince, 5-2 favorite Herchee, Dashman, and Will Take It. Telescopic was scratched.
