McKinzie took command in the stretch and pulled away to a one-and-three-quarter-length victory in the G1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga Aug. 3.
It was the fourth G1 victory for the four-year-old colt by Street Sense, who now has won seven of twelve starts and earned over $2.2 million. The victory earned McKinzie an automatic berth into the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, since the race is part of the ‘Win & You’re In’ series sponsored by the Breeders’ Cup.
Piloted once again by jockey Mike Smith, McKinzie battled for the early lead with Preservationist, but then was settled into second behind that leader as the field entered the backstretch. McKinzie rejoined Preservationist on the lead rounding the far turn. The pair were soon joined by Monongahela, who was trying to sneak through along the rail, and Vino Rosso, who was on their outside. Also charging into contention was Yoshida, who was racing five-wide down the center of the course.
McKinzie took command in the final furlong and held off the late challenge of Yoshida to win easily. Vino Rosso completed the trifecta.
Bred in Kentucky by Summer Wind Farm, McKinzie is out of the multiple Graded Stakes winning mare, Runway Model, winner of the G2 Darley Alcibiades, G2 Golden Rod, and placed in the G1 Ashland Stakes. McKinzie is a half-brother to Stakes-placed Rompin Reid (by Medaglia d’Oro), and hails from the family of Graded Stakes winners Saham (G3 Jefferson Cup) and Sea Ditty (G3 Affectionately Handicap).
In addition to McKinzie, Street Sense is also represented by 2019 Graded Stakes winners Dixie Blossoms (G1 Coolmore Classic), Champagne Anyone (G2 Gulfstream Park Oaks), Air Strike (G2 Triple Bend), Doctor Mounty (G3 Tropical Turf) and Aztec Sense (G3 Fred W. Hooper Stakes).
