Lagynos Aims for Five in a Row in Wise Dan

The streaking Lagynos  bids for a fifth consecutive stakes triumph when he battles Dresden Row , Fort Washington , and six other turf horses in the $500,000 Wise Dan Stakes (G2T) June 27 at Churchill Downs. 

Coming off a win in the Arlington Stakes (G3T) May 30 at Churchill, the 5-year-old son of Kantharos   has only missed in one start this year when he finished second in the Colonel E. R. Bradley Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in his first start of the year. Owned by HRH Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud, Lagynos has since won the Fair Grounds Stakes (G3T), Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes (G2T), and Opening Verse Stakes. He finished third in last year's edition of the 1 1/16-mile Wise Dan behind fellow entrant Brilliant Berti . From 27 starts, Lagynos has found the winner's circle nine times and has earned more than $2.3 million.

"He always runs with so much confidence," Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen said. "He's now won four races in a row and is doing his best right now. He's a barn favorite, and everyone appreciates how hard he tries every time." 

Lagynos, the 5-2 morning-line favorite, will face eight rivals and break from post position 2 with Jose Ortiz—aboard for all of his starts this season—in the irons.

Video: Arlington S. (G3T)

The packed field includes Dresden Row, the 7-2 morning line second choice. Trained by Anthony Sciametta Jr., the 5-year-old son of Lord Nelson aims for his fourth win in a row. He capped his 4-year-old season by winning the Autumn Stakes (G3) at Woodbine, and began this year by winning an allowance race April 8 at Keeneland and then an allowance optional claiming race May 21 at Churchill. 

Chasing the Crown  is the morning line third choice at odds of 9-2. Winless in three starts this year, the Mike Maker trainee lost by a nose in his last start to Lagynos in the Opening Verse Stakes. Owned by Paradise Farms, David Staudacher, and Angelo Carlesimo, the 7-year-old son of Skipshot   last crossed the finish line first Aug. 31 in a handicap at Kentucky Downs.

The field also includes Magic Cap Stables' Fort Washington, who is posted at morning-line odds of 5-1. The 7-year-old son of War Front   trained by Shug McGaughey scored last out in the Dinner Party Stakes (G3T) at Laurel Park, and was last year's winner of the Arlington Million Stakes (G1T) at Colonial Downs.

The Cherie Devaux-trained Brilliant Berti looks to repeat in the Wise Dan. A homebred for Klein Racing, the 5-year-old son of Noble Mission  is winless in his five starts since, and was a last-out fourth behind Lagynos in the Arlington Stakes.

The Wise Dan Stakes runs as the 10th race on an action-packed June 27 card at Churchill, which is highlighted by the $2 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1).