River City Stakes 2024

Share News

River City Stakes 2024: Battle of Normandy Triumphs at Churchill Downs

New York-based Battle of Normandy claimed a commanding victory in the 45th running of the Grade 3, $300,000 River City Stakes at Churchill Downs. 

Trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey and ridden by jockey Luan Machado, the 4-year-old colt surged to the front in the final turn and maintained his lead down the stretch, winning by 1 3/4 lengths over Reckoning Force.

This victory marked Battle of Normandy’s first stakes win, as he completed the 1 1/8-mile race over the firm Matt Winn Turf Course in 1:48.79. Offtrack Betting fans must take notice of this performance. 

Battle of Normandy’s Winning Strategy

Owned by West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing, Battle of Normandy positioned himself strategically in second place early in the race, tracking leader Wonderful Justice’s relaxed fractions of 24.77, 49.88, and 1:14.05 seconds. 

As they approached the final turn, Battle of Normandy moved ahead, creating a 1 1/2-length lead at the top of the stretch. Despite a late rally by Reckoning Force, who came up through the middle in the final sixteenth, Battle of Normandy maintained his comfortable lead and crossed the finish line first.

Jockey Luan Machado noted the horse’s eagerness early on, explaining that he tried to keep him steady heading into the first turn. “He was full of himself and dragging me the entire time,” Machado said, adding that the horse’s energy and relaxed pace early on gave him confidence for a strong finish. When Machado asked him to accelerate, Battle of Normandy took off with ease, securing the win.

A Breakthrough Stakes Victory for Battle of Normandy

This win is significant for Battle of Normandy, who had competed in five previous graded stakes before finally earning a title. The colt previously placed second in the With Anticipation Stakes (G3) at age two and took third in the Dueling Grounds Derby (G3) as a 3-year-old. His persistence paid off in the River City, boosting his record to 13: 5-3-1 and bringing his career earnings to $643,195.

Returning $10.32 on a $2 win wager as the 4-1 fourth betting choice, Battle of Normandy rewarded those following horse racing odds with a solid payout. Reckoning Force, at 7-2, took second, paying $5.02, while Gigante, finishing third at 7-1, paid $4.96.

Impressive Recent Form

Battle of Normandy’s success at Churchill Downs is part of a four-race winning streak. Prior to his River City victory, he dominated under allowance conditions in three New York races at Aqueduct and Saratoga, solidifying his strength on the track. This River City win showcases his growth and readiness for more high-level competition.

Bred in Kentucky by Gage Hill Stables and William S. Farish, Battle of Normandy is a son of City of Light and out of the Kitten’s Joy mare Adorable Miss, indicating a lineage of strong turf performers and Saratoga betting favorites. 

His triumph in the River City was also a notable win for trainer Shug McGaughey, who secured his third victory in the stakes event, having previously won with Smokin’ T last year.