Lagynos, Formidable Man Vie for Mint Millions Crown

A loaded field of 10 is set to battle for bragging rights in the $2 million Mint Millions Invitational Stakes (G3T) Sept. 7 at Kentucky Downs, the headline race of the track's Labor Day card.

Eight of the 10 runners have graded or group stakes wins on their resumes. 

Lagynos  will seek to avenge a 2-length defeat in last year's edition of this race. He hit the board in his next seven races, including five consecutive wins, three of which were graded. But he's hit a bit of a rough patch of late with consecutive fifth-place efforts, including the Fourstardave Stakes (G1T). The 5-year-old son of Kantharos is trained by Steve Asmussen, who just sent him out at this meet: a fifth-place finish in an Aug. 29 handicap.

One of the talented runners awaiting Lagynos is grade 1 winner and last year's Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) runner-up Formidable Man . The West Coast-based son of City of Light   enters off a third in the Eddie Read Stakes (G2T), a race he won last year. Before that, he won the Shoemaker Mile (G1T). The Mint Millions will be his third start of 2026 and first career start at Kentucky Downs.

"He had an unlucky trip last time in the Eddie Read," said trainer Michael McCarthy. "In the Shoemaker Mile, we expected exactly what he delivered that day. He had been training very, very well." 

Making his North American debut is Facteur Cheval , whose 26-race career, spanning numerous jurisdictions, has earned more than $5.6 million. He most recently placed in a pair of group 3 contests in Italy. 

Kelso Stakes (G3T) winner and Fourstardave runner-up Mi Bago  comes in looking to push his career earnings over the $1 million mark. He finished fifth in the West Point Stakes, but his 115 Equibase Speed Figure in the Fourstardave was his career best, and if he can revert to that form, he will be tough to beat. The field also includes the winner of the aforementioned Aug. 29 handicap at Kentucky Downs in Chasing the Crown🔥 , one of the few winners to make a sustained rally on that day.

Running Down A Dream

Also Monday, a field of 14 (and one also-eligible) horses have been entered in the $1.75 million Gun Runner Stakes. 

The race will be a rematch for many of the horses that competed in the Aug. 1 Secretariat Stakes (G2T) at Colonial Downs. Five of that race's eight contenders return, headlined by runner-up Infiltrate .  

Among those expected to challenge for the win Monday are Santa Anita Derby (G3) placer and Belmont Stakes (G1) runner Vitruvian Man . He is making his fourth start on turf. He began his career on the surface before moving to dirt. He ran his most recent start, an allowance race, on turf at Del Mar and finished second. 

Bottas , the Miguel Clement trainee, is entered off a winning effort in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (G2T).

Feeling Lucky?

A dozen 3-year-olds who have yet to win a stake will try to end that distinction in the Lucky Lantern Stakes. Racing over 6 1/2 furlongs, the field also has four also-eligible candidates. 

The Rusty Arnold-trained Sapphire Beach  has been a bridesmaid twice, finishing second in the Limestone (G3T) and the Coronation Cup (G3T) stakes. 

Youth Movement

Also on the card is the $750,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies. Four of the 11 2-year-olds are trying to stay undefeated after winning on debut. Duty Bound , a daughter of Jack Christopher  , boasts a pair of wins in as many starts.