Kingsbarns, who won the 2023 Louisiana Derby (G2) but finished 14th in the Kentucky Derby (G1), has made significant progress at age 4. Returning to Churchill Downs on June 29 for the first time since the Kentucky Derby, the Todd Pletcher-trained horse excelled in the $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1). He outperformed graded stakes winners Pyrenees, Skippylongstocking, and First Mission, securing his first top-level stakes victory. This win earned him an automatic entry and paid fees into the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

Under jockey Luis Saez, Kingsbarns settled two lengths off the early pace set by favored First Mission, who led with fractions of :24.13 and :48.38 in the 1 1/8-mile race. On the turn, with Skippylongstocking applying mild pressure, Kingsbarns advanced wide into third after six furlongs in 1:11.86. He then took command in the early stretch and pulled away to win by 2 1/2 lengths over Pyrenees, completing the race in 1:48.09 on a fast track.

Kingsbarns adopted his typical stalking strategy under jockey Luis Saez, similar to his earlier victories. Saez kept him close to the leaders, aware of the slow pace in the field.

"Around the far turn, he really found his stride nicely and just took me from there," Saez remarked. "He fought hard down the entire stretch."

This victory marked the first Stephen Foster win for both Saez and Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher.

Historically, several Foster winners, including Black Tie Affair (1991), Awesome Again (1998), Saint Liam (2005), Blame (2010), and Gun Runner (2017), also won the Breeders' Cup Classic in the same season. Additionally, Curlin (2007-08) and Fort Larned (2012-13) won the Foster the year following their Breeders' Cup Classic triumphs.