By Steve Sherack
Magnitude (Not This Time) continued preparations for the upcoming GI Stephen Foster S. with a five-furlong breeze in 1:01.80 (12/16) at Churchill Downs Sunday.
The Winchell Thoroughbreds colorbearer has now posted five workouts for Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen–all beneath the Twin Spires–since defeating the globe-trotting 2025 GI Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) by a length in front-running fashion in the G1 Dubai World Cup at Meydan Mar. 28.
“Very impressive horse, continues to train forwardly,” Asmussen said. “Have two more scheduled workouts between now and the Foster and think we’re on target.”
Magnitude heads to the Foster riding a three-race winning streak. He concluded his sophomore campaign by defeating older horses in the GII Clark S. at Churchill Downs Nov. 28 and kicked off his 2026 campaign with a powerful win in the GIII Razorback H. at Oaklawn Feb. 28.
The $2-million Stephen Foster on June 27, a ‘Win and You’re In’ for the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland, is also expected to feature a rematch between 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner White Abarrio (Race Day) and 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty (Into Mischief), one-two in a dynamite renewal of the GII Oaklawn H. Apr. 18; as well as last year’s GI Pennsylvania Derby winner Baeza (McKinzie), an unlucky third in his comebacker in the GII Alysheba S. at Churchill Downs May 1.
Magnitude was a well-beaten third behind Sovereignty in last summer’s GI DraftKings Travers S. and a closing second to Baeza in the Pennsylvania Derby.
“I think it’s obviously a great field being assembled,” Asmussen said. “The only thing missing is Forever Young.”
One of 13 top-level winners for leading young sire Not This Time, Magnitude was produced by the Bernardini mare Rockadelic, a daughter of MGISW and GI Kentucky Oaks runner-up Octave (Unbridled’s Song). The $310,000 Keeneland November weanling turned $450,000 Keeneland September yearling was bred in Kentucky by Ron Stolich.
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