by Jeff Apel

Magna Graduate gained command near midstretch and snapped an 11-race winless stretch in a 2 1/4-length victory in the $108,200 Ack Ack Handicap (G3) on Sunday at Churchill Downs.

Magna Graduate settled in third through a quarter in :23.02 and dropped back to fourth through a half-mile in :46.50 under a snug hold from jockey Shaun Bridgmohan. After moving up to second in early stretch, 1 1/2 lengths behind runner-up and Forego Handicap (G1) second-place finisher Greeley’s Conquest, Magna Graduate quickly seized command and won the one-mile race in 1:36.06 on a track rated as fast.

Multiple graded stakes-placed winner Forest Command, the even-money favorite in the field of six, set a pressured pace and led Cowtown Cat by a head through six furlongs in 1:11. Magna Graduate unleashed a determined four-wide rally on the turn and drew clear in the closing strides.

Greeley’s Conquest finished 2 3/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Forest Command.

Elisabeth Alexander’s Magna Graduate joined trainer Steve Asmussen’s barn after making his first four starts this year for trainer Todd Pletcher. The Honor Grades horse entered off a runner-up finish in the Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (G2) on September 27.

A career earner of $2,561,237, Magna Graduate posted his tenth win in 34 starts. Bred in Kentucky by Nicole Zitani and Ramon Rangel, Magna Graduate is out of the Fast Play mare Peacock Alley.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Jeff Apel is an assistant editor of Thoroughbred Times TODAY