Just a Touch will seek to capitalize on his stamina in the Sycamore Stakes

The son of Justify arrives boasting back-to-back victories over 2400 meters and will hunt his first G2 success this Friday at Keeneland. Desvio will attempt a repeat of his 2025 triumph, while Navy Seal, Limited Liability, and Goldeneyebring proven stamina and long-distance experience to the fold

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).— Stamina will take center stage this Friday at Keeneland, where the Sycamore Stakes (G2-2400 m, turf, $400,000) will gather a group of seasoned marathoners, several of whom boast key credentials over the Lexington oval. Among the 12 entrants in the main body of the field, Just a Touch looms as the horse to beat, though he will face a defending champion who knows precisely how to resolve this contest: Desvio.

The transformation of Just a Touch into a long-distance specialist stands as one of the most intriguing storylines of the event. The son of Justify, trained by Brad Cox, began the season alternating appearances on dirt, where he finished second in the Louisiana Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds and fourth in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1).

However, his return to the Keeneland turf during the spring meeting marked a major turning point. He captured an allowance over 1700 meters and has not lost since, stringing together back-to-back stakes wins over 2400 meters.

First he secured the Cape Henlopen Stakes (L) at Delaware Park, drawing clear by 3 1/2 lengths, and then validated his form in the Colonial Cup Stakes held at Colonial Downs.

Now he will seek to extend that streak at a higher level, once again with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle.

Owned by Qatar Racing, Fergus Galvin, Adrian Regan, and Marc Detampel, Just a Touch was acquired for $300,000 at the 2023 OBS Spring Sale of 2-year-olds in training. Now 5, he boasts 6 victories from 15 career starts and is on the brink of millionaire status with $993,408 in earnings.

The morning-line odds installed him as the 5-2 favorite.

However, Desvio shares a special history with the Sycamore. One year ago he shocked the field at 34-1, and now he returns bidding to become a back-to-back winner of the event.

The 5-year-old son of Yoshida is trained by Madison Meyers, who holds fond memories of her previous trips to Keeneland.

During the spring, Desvio finished second in the Elkhorn Stakes (G2) behind Burnham Square (Liam's Map), a performance his trainer particularly cherished.

“We celebrated it as if it were a victory because he ran a monster race. We were beaten by an extraordinary horse. We were coming off a layoff, we had traveled, and I was really proud of him,” Meyers explained.

His most recent outing was significantly less productive, finishing unplaced in the Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational Stakes (G2) at Kentucky Downs in a field that featured notables such as Tiffany (Daredevil), Ethical Diamond(Awtaad), and Burnham Square himself.

The trainer, however, found good reason not to dwell on that effort.

“It was an exceptionally hot day, but fortunately he handled it very well and recovered right away. I think the ground was a bit too firm for him. And honestly, that field felt like a Breeders’ Cup given the quality of the runners,” commented Meyers.

Meyers remains confident that the return to Keeneland will bring out another top performance.

“He really seems to love it there. He enjoys the atmosphere, and every time we arrive he settles in immediately. He has already run two great races on that turf and he likes the course.”

Desvio will carry the colors of Stonelea Stables and Bonnie Rye Stable, with Luan Machado returning to ride.

The lineup also features other stamina specialists deserving of attention.

Limited Liability, a 7-year-old son of Kitten's Joy, finished second in the 2025 Elkhorn and holds a record that marks him as a dangerous threat when the distance demands increase.

Navy Seal, by Dubawi, finished third in this season's Elkhorn behind Burnham Square and Desvio, and subsequently finished second in the Belmont Gold Cup Stakes (G2) over 3200 meters, demonstrating his capacity to handle extreme distances.

Meanwhile, Goldeneye, a 7-year-old son of Hard Spun, has been building a solid campaign in marathon events. He finished second to Gold Phoenix (Belardo) in the San Juan Capistrano Stakes (G3) and already knows victory over Keeneland’s 2400 meters, where he won an allowance during 2024.

With so many horses accustomed to marathon trips, pace control and energy preservation will play a decisive role.

Just a Touch enters in peak form with an upward trajectory suggesting he may still have room to improve. Desviopossesses the proven experience of having won this exact race, while other dangerous contenders pack the credentials to test the favorite. The Sycamore promises a true test of stamina, the kind where raw speed is not enough—it must be carefully saved for the final stretch.