LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Two years ago, Michael McCarthy won the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby, a race that awards major points toward the Kentucky Derby starting gate, on Turfway Park's Tapeta. Endlessly was also nominated to the American Turf on the Kentucky Derby undercard, but ultimately did try the dirt in the Kentucky Derby, finishing ninth. Owners John and Jerry Amerman did win the American Turf anyway the same day, with Graham Motion trainee Trikari. Six weeks ago, McCarthy saddled Stark Contrast to finish a good second in the Ruby after missing a prep race. The 50 points he earned would have put him in the Kentucky Derby starting gate. However, in contrast this time, the Amermans and McCarthy dropped his name into the entry box for the American Turf, now a Grade 1, $1 million race. The decision paid off, as Stark Contrast, already a proven stakes performer, is now a Grade 1 winner, easily holding sway by 2 1/4 lengths over a belatedly-closing Remember Mamba on Saturday at Churchill Downs. "Endlessly winning for the Amermans and coming here, was excited to run him in the American Turf, but things never quite worked out that way," McCarthy said. "The Amermans were actually fortunate enough to win the American Turf the same year with the horse that had won the prep. [Stark Contrast] is very, very good. Even had he won the Jeff Ruby, I think I still would have been very bullish on participating here." :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2026: Top contenders, point standings, news, and more Stark Contrast ($4.40), a homebred son of Royal Ascot Group 1 winner Caravaggio, won the Grade 3 Zuma Beach Stakes last year, then was a strong second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf after having to wait while lacking room for his bid. He fell short by three-quarters of a length to Gstaad, who earlier on Saturday, finished second in the Group 1 English 2000 Guineas. Stark Contrast opened the year by winning the Eddie Logan Stakes on Jan. 8. However, he then dealt with a foot bruise, which did not cost him serious training time, but did cost him a start in the Pasadena Stakes in February. Off about a 10-week layoff, Stark Contrast was a good second in the Ruby to Fulleffort, and had trained well at Churchill Downs since, giving McCarthy additional confidence that he would move forward with the benefit of a race. "I can't tell you how highly I thought about this horse," McCarthy said. Stark Contrast was, indeed, ready to move forward any time he was given his cue by Flavien Prat. Street Beast, keen from the inside, led the field through an opening quarter of 23.20 seconds on a course that has been in good shape all week, and was still rated firm following a brief shower before post time that did nothing to change conditions. Honey Dutch became intent on wresting the lead from Street Beast, and did so through a half in 47.13 seconds, then kicked clear by three lengths through six furlongs in 1:10.58. Stark Contrast, who was sitting comfortably in fifth, came to the outside for a clear run and was cut loose. He lengthened his strike with gusto and quickly came to Honey Dutch, opening up in the final sixteenth. He stopped the clock in 1:40.31 for the 1 1/16 miles. Grade 3 Transylvania Stakes winner Remember Mamba, who was 11th of 13 after six furlongs, also came wide to come with a late run, but it was both too late, and Stark Contrast too good on the day. "It was a difficult post position from the 12," jockey Jose Ortiz said. "I was way out there and I dropped back further than I wanted to. I wanted to save ground and had an OK trip but in the first turn, I lost my chance to win." Remember Mamba was easily best of the rest, 1 1/2 lengths clear of Honey Dutch. They were followed, in order, by Alpyland, Blinging It Back, Let's Be Frank, Black Hornet, Vazy, Steel Imperium, Greenwich Village, Street Beast, Thousandsticks, and Final Score. The latter was making his first start since last October, and incurred his first defeat on turf, after trainer Todd Pletcher had expressed displeasure earlier in the week about drawing the outside post, and indeed, Final Score was wide on both turns. The American Turf was the second turf graded stakes victory on the day for McCarthy and Prat. Earlier, they teamed to win the Grade 2 Twin Spires Turf Sprint with Yellow Card, another horse McCarthy had felt would move forward following a troubled runner-up finish last out at Keeneland. "On a big day like today, the competition is so tough," McCarthy said. "So to have things kind of work out the way you plan [is satisfying], and obviously, Flavien a big part of that today. Super happy." :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.