Gary Barber, Cheyenne Stable, and Wachtel Stable's Rhetorical tallied a front-end score in the $1.5 million Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) May 2 at Churchill Downs under Irad Ortiz Jr., drawing off to win by 3 lengths, marking the second grade 1 win for trainer Will Walden.
The 5-year-old gelding by Not This Time broke alertly, being sent right to the lead, setting fractions of :23.51, :47.40, and 1:10.70. He hit another gear coming down the top of the stretch, easily putting away his competition. He finished the 1 1/8-mile race in 1:45.96 on firm turf.
Make Me King made a strong move on the outside to finish second; Corruption was third.
Rhetorical was bred in New York by Mallory and Karen Mort and purchased by Maverick Racing and Siena Farm for $320,000 at the Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearlings Sale in 2022.
Not This Time stands at Taylor Made Farm near Nicholasville, Ky., for an advertised fee of $250,000.
This story will be updated.
