Flavius Sets New Fast Time in Tourist Mile

FRANKLIN, KY – Juddmonte Farms homebred Flavius set a new fast time with an impressive victory in Monday’s $750,000 Tourist Mile Stakes at Kentucky Downs.

Flavius was the 4/1 second choice as he broke from post 9 under Javier Castellano and settled off the pace. Driving past the leaders in the stretch, he held off defending champion Snapper Sinclair by 3/4 of a length while completing the firm turf mile in a final time of 1:32.21.

Kentucky Downs is not yet calling this a new record because the track is testing Equibase’s Gmax tracking and timing system that utilizes GPS technology.

“He broke so well out of the gate today,” said Castellano after giving trainer Chad Brown his first stakes victory at Kentucky Downs. “I think that was the key to winning the race. Usually, he breaks slow. For whatever reason, he got better and better. He put me in a good spot early in the race. All the time before, he was too far back and he always came late. Today, he put me in good position. When I asked him, he responded so well. I’m glad the way he did it today. I wasn’t disappointed in him before; he always tried hard. Maybe he liked the track today, European style, up and down, curves. I think he really liked it and enjoyed the trip.”

Ivar, Neptune’s Storm, Next Shares, Blitzkrieg, the 5/2 favorite Parlor, Emmaus, and Ritzy A. P. completed the order of finish. Hembree, Ramsey Solution, and Spectacular Gem were scratched.

Flavius’ win was his second at the stakes level, having won the 2018 Trigo Stakes at Leopardtown in Europe. The lightly-raced 5-year-old son of War Front now carries a record of 7-3-1-1 with $518,651 earned.

“He had come from Europe and maybe he would like this kind of course,” said assistant trainer Whit Beckman. “It was a good decision. He broke better today than he has in his past 2 starts. Javier rode him beautifully and he kicked on. He showed a real turn of foot.”

Flavius returned $10 to win, $5.60 to place, and $4 to show. Snapper Sinclair brought back $8.20 to place and $6.20 to show, while Ivar paid $7.20 to show.