Formidable Man eyes big, two-race finish, starting with Mint Millions
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Formidable Man finished a fine second in the Breeders’ Cup Mile last year. He’s a multiple Grade 1 winner, among the top handful of turf milers in America. He’s been kept fresh this year, connections hoping to finish the season with a bang.
We know, generally, who Formidable Man is. We do not know who he is at Kentucky Downs. Formidable Man during his 18-start career has only run around conventional flat American ovals. Monday, he starts in the $2 million Mint Millions. There’s no way of knowing how Formidable Man will respond to a different kind of turf, and a much different turf course configuration – a dogleg just after the start, another at the finish, undulations galore – until he goes out and tries it.
“I feel like if he handles the footing and all the elements of that particular course, I believe he’ll take care of business. He has a good mind. I don’t see that being a real challenge,” said trainer Michael McCarthy.
Formidable Man faces nine in the Mint Millions, the richest of five stakes on a 14-race Kentucky Downs Labor Day card. He breaks from post 9 under Flavien Prat, 2 for 2 on Formidable Man.
Formidable Man made six starts during 2025 and saved his best for last, solidly defeated by Notable Speech but better than 11 others in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. He did not make his 2026 debut until May 25, when he defeated standard California middle-distance turf fare in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile, and did not run again until July 26, when Formidable Man finished third by a head as the 7-10 favorite in the Eddie Read at Del Mar.
His trip was far from ideal. Steadied when a horse jinked in front of him leaving the chute where nine-furlong Del Mar races begin, Formidable Man stalked several lengths behind a leaden pace, came under urging three furlongs out, went through a flat patch in upper stretch, but finally found stride when steered inside pacesetting Cabo Spirit at the furlong grounds. By then, victorious Gold Spirit already had hit the peak of his run, and he outfinished Formidable Man, who just missed catching Cabo Spirit. The race wasn’t run to suit him, but one might’ve expected a touch more.
McCarthy, though, sees the same horse as last year – if not a better one. The plan is to go for the big money Monday, then go on to the BC Mile at Keeneland. Victory is not assured even if Formidable Man takes to the course.
Two horses have traveled from overseas, but the current iteration of Facteur Cheval and Haatem probably can’t win the Mint Millions. Both horses hit a much higher mark a couple years ago, and while Haatem had a nightmare trip two back at Royal Ascot, he has not been keeping especially high-class company.
Giocoso ran a strong race over this course in the Gun Runner a year ago and had a rough go of things in the Green River Island last month at Ellis Park. He still needs a career best to contend.
Gran Oriente put a scare into short favorite Burnham Square last month in the Grade 1 Arlington Million, and while that race came at 1 1/4 miles, the Argentine import can run to form at a mile.
Lagynos, a two-time winner from five Kentucky Downs starts, finished second in the 2025 Mint Millions coming back a week after winning opening day of the meet. He’s on the same pattern this year, but checked in eighth in the Tight Spot Handicap, his worst race in a busy year that has yielded five wins.
“He was due for a bad one. I don’t see a reason not to run him back, though,” trainer Steve Asmussen said.
Chasing the Crown lost three times to Lagynos earlier this year, including a brutal head bob in the Opening Verse, but easily bested him Aug. 29 in the Tight Spot Handicap. He’s been aimed all summer for this one-two Kentucky Downs punch.
“He loves it firm, loves Kentucky Downs, loves a one-turn mile,” trainer Mike Maker said. “I’ve had good luck turning horses back on short rest.”
Longshot Quatrocento will show speed from the rail; Mi Bago will press him while also running back on short rest. A strong second Aug. 8 in the Grade 1 Fourstardave, Mi Bago floundered over wet turf finishing fifth Aug. 28 as the odds-on favorite in a New York-bred stakes.
“He didn’t handle the turf at all,” trainer Mark Casse said. “That horse is like an iron horse, and if he gets his course, he’s tough.”
Brilliant Berti’s the one to watch, though. Disappointing in his first four starts this year, he clicked in the Green River Island after trainer Cherie DeVaux added blinkers. And unlike the Mint Millions favorite, the California raider, Brilliant Berti has proven form over this quirky course.
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