Plutarch make triumphant return in $300,000 Bourbon Flight S.

Plutarch blew away his competition in the Bourbon Flight S. on Saturday afternoon at Churchill Downs, rolling to a 6 ½-length win in what was the 3-year-old Into Mischief colt’s first start since winning the Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) in early February.

Plutarch showed no signs of rustiness in Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds exclusively. Unhurried early, Plutarch settled in fifth early and held his spot, about six lengths from the lead, through a half-mile of :48 flat. The race shape changed dramatically on the far turn, with Plutarch advancing rapidly between horses and was within a length of the lead at the top of the stretch. He rolled past Stimulate in upper stretch to take command and left the field in his wake while drawing off under a hand ride.

The final time was 1:41.79 on a fast track, good for a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 106, the top number for any 3-year-old at the distance this year.

“We always knew he was a talented horse and had to be pretty patient with him,” said trainer Bob Baffert. “We had him ready to go this summer at Ellis [for the Ellis Park Derby] but he scraped his leg on the van ride down there and had to scratch. That was pretty impressive today.”

The winner is owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith and was bred in Kentucky by Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt. Plutarch is out of the champion 3-year-old filly Stellar Wind and is a full brother to stakes winner In the Stars.