Stone Age Looks to Regain Form in McKnight

A pair of millionaires will lead the charge Jan. 27 in the 1 1/2-mile $200,000 William L. McKnight Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park as part of the Pegasus World Cup undercard. 

For Stone Age , it wasn't too long ago that he had fallen just short of Breeders' Cup glory, finishing second in the 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T). Now, in his first start as a 5-year-old, the son of Galileo has struggled to regain the form of that November afternoon at Keeneland. 

His last time out going 1 1/8 miles on the same course as the McKnight, Stone Age finished fifth in the Fort Lauderdale Stakes (G2T). That's been a common finish for him as four of his five starts since the Breeders' Cup have ended in that spot. This includes a pair of grade 1s—the 2023 Sword Dancer Stakes (G1T) and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (G1T). 

The other millionaire in the field of 12 is Rockemperor . 

Chad Brown's pupil spent last year trying to get back to the winner's circle. The gelding nearly accomplished that in the Singspiel Stakes (G3T) at Woodbine, but he was a half-length shy of Palazzi , who is also running in the McKnight. 

Each of his last 15 starts have been in graded company with only a pair ending in celebration: the 2021 Hirsch and the 2022 Bowling Green Stakes (G2T). Having never raced at Gulfstream over his 32-start career, a change of scenery may do him well. 

FRED W. HOOPER STAKES

Later in the undercard, Cyclone Mischief , who finished last in the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1), is making his second start following the Run for the Roses in the Fred W. Hooper Stakes (G3).

After a nearly seven-month layoff caused by a strain suffered in the Derby, which contributed to his showing that day, Cyclone Mischief is working his way back into form. Trainer Dale Romans said that the son of leading sire Into Mischief   was going to miss all of last year's 3-year-old races so he gave the colt some extra time to heal. 

Cyclone Mischief returned in late November, finishing fourth in an allowance race at Churchill Downs. Despite not getting the win, Romans was pleased with what he saw.

"He's the type of horse who has to run himself fit. He's a big, thick horse. I thought that race would do him a lot of good. He hasn't missed a beat since," Romans said. 

As for the Hooper, Romans believes there will be plenty of pacing from which Cyclone Mischief can make a run. 

Win or lose, the trainer said the goal Saturday is for Cyclone Mischief to "keep showing us that he's a horse that's going to be a player in the handicap division this year."