Lagynos snaps stakes drought in Commonwealth Turf victory

Lagynos used an authoritative closing kick to split rivals in midstretch and draw away late to win the 19th running of the Grade 3, $286,005 Commonwealth Turf by three-quarters of a length over Evade in stakes record time on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Lagynos ran 1 1/16 miles over a firm turf course in 1:40.83 to eclipse Heart to Heart’s previous Commonwealth Turf record of 1:41.54 in 2014. Flavien Prat rode the winner for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, who won the race for a record-extending fourth time. His other Commonwealth Turf winners were Inca King in 2007, Hot Springs in 2018 and Gigante in 2023.

This breakthrough performance was Lagynos’ first stakes win. Earlier this year, he finished second in the $275,000 Audubon in June and $500,000 Hall of Fame (G2) at Saratoga in August. Also, he was third in the $400,000 Transylvania (G3) and $600,000 American Turf (G2).

"He deserved this win,” Asmussen said. “He’s gotten in so much trouble in his last couple starts and even this spring at Keeneland. We’re very proud of his effort to win a race like this today. He’s shown up for every start and runs hard each time.”

Lagynos gets a beautiful trip in the G3 Commonwealth at @churchilldowns under Flavien Prat for trainer Steve Asmussen! ??

?? #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/uO8HFOhoKZ

Lagynos relaxed in sixth down the backstretch as My Boy Prince led the field of eight 3-year-olds through fractions of 23.08, 47.34 and 1:11.23. At the head of the stretch, Lagynos was full of run but had nowhere to go with traffic ahead of him. A seam appeared between My Boy Prince on the inside and Piper’s Factor to the outside. Lagynos used a powerful late kick to split those rivals, grabbed the lead at the eighth pole and cruised down the homestretch to outrun France-bred Evade by three-quarters of a length.

“He broke well and I got him to relax going into the first turn,” Prat said. “I knew I wanted to be close but would have to wait for room. Down the lane I was able to split horses late and he really finished up nicely.”

Lagynos returned $9.12, $4.82 and $3.32 as the 7-2 third betting choice. Evade, with Luan Machado up, paid $6.44 and $3.70 at odds of 5-1. Ak Sar Ben Derby, ridden by Junior Alvarado at odds of 16-1, paid $6.78 to show.

Piper’s Factor, My Boy Prince, 5-2 favorite Herchee, Dashman and Will Take It completed the order of finish. Telescopic was scratched.

Lagynos netted $180,350 for owner Prince Mishal of Saudi Arabia and boasts career earnings of $700,553 from a record of 13: 3-2-3. He is a son of Kantharos out of the Speightstown mare Steamy and was bred in Kentucky by Robert Spiegel.