Magnitude targets the Stephen Foster Stakes and could turn it into a monumental showdown

The hero of the Dubai World Cup (G1) is shaping up to face Sovereignty and White Abarrio at Churchill Downs, in a clash that could bring together three of the best horses in the world

Magnitude is already back in training ahead of his return to action / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Special to Turf Diario).- As if the highly anticipated rematch between Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and White Abarrio (Race Day) were not enough on its own to turn the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) into one of the marquee events of the American season, a third name has now emerged ready to elevate the spectacle even further: Magnitude.

The recent Dubai World Cup (G1) hero officially returned to the worktab on the 9th at Churchill Downs, and all indications point toward the Foster on June 27 as his next target.

The possibility of bringing together in the same race the reigning Horse of the Year, the battle-tested White Abarrio, and the horse who just defeated the phenomenal Forever Young (Real Steel) at Meydan is already generating enormous excitement.

Magnitude’s recorded workout was merely a soft half-mile in :51.20, but the move carried major significance as it marked his first official drill since his career-defining performance in Dubai.

The Steve Asmussen trainee enjoyed a flawless experience in the United Arab Emirates: he shipped well, trained brilliantly, and then delivered the race of his life to defeat none other than Japanese superstar Forever Young.

“He’s training beautifully. I couldn’t be more excited about what he’s accomplished this year and what we hope he can do for the rest of the season,” Asmussen said. “With him working at Churchill, the Stephen Foster is most likely his next start.”

Although the definitive breakthrough came in Dubai, Magnitude’s rise had begun months earlier. The son of Not This Time is currently riding a three-race winning streak, having captured the Clark Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs, the Razorback Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park, and finally the Dubai World Cup.

Still, Asmussen believes the real turning point came when the colt finished second in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1)last September.

The trainer explained that throughout the winter, while the horse trained in New Orleans, it was already evident he had taken a major step forward.

The comparisons soon became inevitable. Magnitude’s campaign strongly resembles that of Gun Runner (Candy Ride), another superstar trained by Asmussen for Winchell Thoroughbreds.

Gun Runner also finished second in the Pennsylvania Derby, won the Clark, captured the Razorback, and then contested the Dubai World Cup before launching a spectacular 4-year-old campaign.

After returning from Dubai in 2017, Gun Runner won the Stephen Foster itself before adding victories in the Whitney Stakes (G1) and Woodward Stakes (G1), eventually capturing the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and earning Horse of the Year honors.

Asmussen admitted he would love to follow a similar path with Magnitude, although this year the Woodward will not be part of the calendar. The next major dirt targets for older horses would therefore be the Whitney at Saratoga and later the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Belmont Park.

Meanwhile, the Stephen Foster is beginning to shape up as an extraordinary race. On one side stands Sovereignty, who recently returned in the Oaklawn Handicap (G1) following a lengthy absence.

That afternoon he was defeated by White Abarrio, the exceptional 7-year-old veteran who once again showcased his class by defeating younger rivals while pushing his earnings beyond $7.7 million.

And now Magnitude could join them—the horse who just toppled Forever Young in the richest race on the planet.

Three different generations. Three different styles. Three genuine champions.

And perhaps one of the best races of the year at Churchill Downs.