Utah Beach Conquers Louisville Stakes with Powerful Late Rally

Utah Beach, a five-year-old gelding by English Channel, demonstrated his staying power and a potent late kick to win the Grade 3 Louisville Stakes under the lights at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Ignacio “Nacho” Correas IV for owners Jeffrey S. Amling and Merriebelle Stable, Utah Beach was positioned second to last for a significant portion of the 1 ½-mile race as Idratherbeblessed set the early pace with fractions of :24.81, :48.84, and 1:13.64.

As the field rounded the far turn, Verstappen, with Lanfranco Dettori aboard, made a bid for the lead and opened up a clear advantage at the top of the stretch. However, Vincent Cheminaud and Utah Beach, having navigated wide and clear of a mid-race incident, launched a determined rally from the back of the pack.

In a thrilling finish, Utah Beach steadily gained on Verstappen, collaring him in the final furlong and drawing clear to win by 1 ½ lengths. The final time for the firm turf course was 2:26.70, just 0.20 seconds off Tikkanen’s 1994 course record of 2:26.50.

This victory marked Utah Beach’s second consecutive graded stakes win, following his triumph in the Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland on April 19. His career earnings now stand at $687,785 with a record of 5 wins, 5 seconds, and 1 third from 15 starts.

Verstappen held on for second, finishing three lengths ahead of Missed the Cut, who encountered trouble during the race but still managed a third-place showing under Brian Hernandez Jr.

Last year’s Louisville Stakes winner, Sugoi, finished fourth.

The race was marred by a spill on the far turn. Idratherbeblessed, after setting the pace, began to fade, causing Missed the Cut to alter course.

Rebel Red (GB), appearing to clip heels with Missed the Cut, fell, unseating jockey Declan Cannon. Tapit Shoes, unable to avoid the fallen horse and rider, also went down, dislodging jockey Rafael Bejarano.

Both horses, Rebel Red and Tapit Shoes, walked off the course. Bejarano returned to the jockeys’ quarters, while Cannon, though alert and conscious, complained of back pain and was transported to University of Louisville Hospital for further evaluation.

Idratherbeblessed was eased, found to have bled, and was transported off the track in an equine ambulance.

Fractional Times: :24.81, :48.84, 1:13.64, 1:39.12, 2:03.16
Final Time: 2:26.70

Winning Connections

Winner: Utah Beach
Jockey: Vincent Cheminaud
Trainer: Ignacio Correas IV
Owner: Jeffrey S. Amling and Merriebelle Stable
Breeder: Jeffrey S. Amling and Merriefield Farm
Bloodline: Gray or Roan Gelding, by English Channel out of My Own Story, by Lasting Approval. Foaled May 18, 2020 in Kentucky
English Channel passed away in 2021.

Payouts

• $2.00 Exacta (6-5) Paid: $59.70
• $.50 Trifecta (6-5-2) Paid: $67.63
• $.10 Superfecta (6-5-2-9) Paid: $53.06