Dede McGehee’s homebred colt Agate delivered a powerful closing run to capture the $400,000 Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes (G2) on Sunday at Keeneland. The 2-year-old son of Karakontie (JPN) secured victory by 1 3/4 lengths over Bold Leadership, marking the first Keeneland stakes win for trainer Kelsey Danner and McGehee. Under jockey Tyler Gaffalione, Agate also earned a spot for the Oct. 30 Brown Advisory Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Keeneland by triumphing in this Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” race.
Coming off a third-place finish in the Pepsi Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile (L), Agate entered the 1 1/16-mile Bourbon Stakes as the second favorite at 7-2. Settling near the back in a field of ten, Agate tracked the early pace set by longshot Trim Castle, who took the lead boldly and maintained a sizable advantage through the first six furlongs. Gaffalione kept Agate on the rail in seventh place, patiently biding his time as the leader faded late in the race.
Approaching the final turn, Agate steadily moved up the ranks and angled out past the three-sixteenths pole. He surged past contenders Blaring Ambition, Heracles, and Real Goodbar, widening his lead to cross the finish line in 1:42.64 on firm turf. Bold Leadership finished a close second, narrowly holding off Real Goodbar for the runner-up spot. The rest of the order included Popcorn, Mid American, Mad Mo, Hemingway, Blaring Ambition, Heracles, and Trim Castle.
With this win, Agate’s record improved to two wins in four starts, and his earnings increased to $363,775, including a $232,500 payday. He paid $9.28 to win.
Comments from Key Participants:
Tyler Gaffalione (winning jockey): “This horse was very responsive and listened well throughout the race. He finished strongly, and I’m really proud of what he showed today.”
Kelsey Danner (trainer): “Agate had a tough trip last time finishing third at Kentucky Downs, but he came out of it well. His previous jockey even said he’d win next time on a normal course. Heading into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf as a winner is very exciting.”
Irad Ortiz Jr. (jockey of runner-up Bold Leadership): “He’s still learning and showed great ability. The race went well early, but he was a bit distracted in the stretch. He’s got a nice finishing kick.”
Jose Ortiz (jockey of third-place Real Goodbar): “We got a good trip; he broke well and I positioned him well behind the leader. He ran a solid race.”
This article was originally published by Paulick Report on October 5, 2026.
Fan Take: Agate’s impressive late charge and stakes breakthrough make him an exciting contender heading into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, highlighting the depth of emerging turf talent in American racing. Performances like this keep fans engaged and pave the way for thrilling international competition in the sport’s biggest events.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
