Magnitude tunes up for the Stephen Foster, and a monumental showdown already looms

The hero of the Dubai World Cup (G1) returned to the worktab at Churchill Downs, and anticipation continues to build toward the “Summer Showdown” scheduled for June 27

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Special to Turf Diario).- The showdown had already been building momentum.

But now it is beginning to take on truly gigantic proportions.

As the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) shapes up as one of the most spectacular races of the season in the United States, Magnitude continued his preparations last Saturday at Churchill Downs, delivering highly encouraging signs ahead of the June 27 clash.

The hero of the Dubai World Cup (G1), racing for Winchell Thoroughbreds, covered 1000 meters in 1:02 3/5 over a fast track before galloping out 1200 meters in 1:15 4/5 under the supervision of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

And the trainer made no attempt to hide his enthusiasm.

“He worked really well this morning. I’m very happy with how he’s progressing and truly excited about the matchup in the Stephen Foster,” Asmussen said.

It is easy to understand why.

Because the so-called “Summer Showdown” already carries the aura of a potential Race of the Year.

With the purse recently increased to $2 million, the Foster is expected to bring together several of the continent’s best dirt older horses, headed by champion Sovereignty (Into Mischief), his conqueror in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2), White Abarrio (Race Day), and of course the immensely talented Magnitude himself.

The son of Not This Time has been building a stunning progression.

After beginning his rise with a runner-up finish in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1), he strung together victories in the Clark Stakes (G2) and the Razorback Handicap (G2) before exploding onto the international scene with a gate-to-wire triumph in the Dubai World Cup over Japanese superstar Forever Young (Real Steel).

Now he will attempt to bring that dominance back to Churchill Downs, the very racetrack where his career began in June of 2024.

And his connections are dreaming big.

It is no coincidence that comparisons around Magnitude constantly circle back toward one unavoidable name: Gun Runner (Candy Ride).

Asmussen has already traveled this road before.

Gun Runner had also finished second in the Pennsylvania Derby before developing into champion older horse form, winning the Stephen Foster, capturing the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), and ultimately earning Horse of the Year honors.

Something similar happened with Curlin (Smart Strike), another legendary Asmussen trainee and also a Stephen Foster winner before cementing his place among racing immortals.

It comes as little surprise, then, that the trainer sees certain parallels in Magnitude.

Because beyond raw talent, the bay colt transmits that unmistakable feeling of a horse still improving with every performance.

The 2026 edition of the Stephen Foster will also serve as an automatic qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland as part of the “Win and You’re In” series, adding even more significance to a confrontation that already promises to captivate American racing.

And Magnitude appears to be arriving exactly where Asmussen hoped he would.