World Beater Catches King of Ashes in Audubon Stakes
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Photo: Coady Media/John Gallagher
World Beater (outside) defeats King of Ashes in the Audubon Stakes at Churchill Downs
Wearing down stretch leader King of Ashes in the closing strides by a neck, World Beater notched his first career stakes victory in the $273,500 Audubon Stakes May 31 at Churchill Downs.
The victory was the second in a row for the 3-year-old son of Oscar Performance , who a start earlier had broken his maiden in his fifth career start in a 1 1/8-mile maiden race at Churchill Downs May 2. His record now stands at 2-1-1 in six starts with earnings of $263,914 for owner Pin Oak Stud.
Well spotted in midpack early with Jaime Torres aboard, World Beater saved ground into the first turn as Charlie's to Blame set splits in the 1 1/8-mile turf race of :23.42, :47.71, and 1:11.93 under pressure from Tomasello . Torres awaited traffic to clear on the second turn before launching a two-wide, second-turn bid. From there, World Beater reeled in his rivals, the last of those being King of Ashes, who had taken command from Tomasello leaving the second turn.
"He was impressive stretching out more in distance," Torres said of the winner.
King of Ashes, under Frankie Dettori, held second, 2 1/4 lengths clear of Tomasello in third.
The Riley Mott-trained winner posted a stakes-record time of 1:47.39. He returned $15.40 for a $2 win wager.
Bred by Dr. John A. Chandler out of the Blame mare Dabinett , World Beater was a $105,000 purchase by his owner from the Mill Ridge Sales consignment to the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
World Beater is the fifth stakes winner of 2025 for Oscar Performance, who stands at Mill Ridge Farm for $45,000.