MCKINZIE’s Grade 1 streak stayed alive at Saratoga when for the third straight year one of his runners won at the level with Hymn’s Forego S. (G1) victory.
Second in a Grade 2 last out, Hymn pushed Tip Top Thomas when racing just a half-length behind him for much of the early stages of the race to make sure they recorded an honest pace. Ricardo Santana Jr. asked Hymn to kick it into full gear at the quarter pole and by the stretch, the gelding was ready to fly.
A battle ensued with Hymn getting the lead just outside the final furlong and pulled away from his early rival. Two more came after him late, but Hymn wasn’t going to give in and won by three quarters of a length at the line.
HYMN is a Grade 1 winner!
He earns his first Grade 1 victory in the Forego Stakes under @RSantana_Jr for trainer @RonMoquett. pic.twitter.com/kudjNWI6LW
— NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA) August 29, 2026
The winner of five of his 15 races, the Ron Moquett-trained 4-year-old is owned by breeder Fleur De Lis Stables, William Sparks and Bret Jones. He has won four of his last four starts and was getting his second stakes victory after winning the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash two starts ago.
“Well, I called it,” Moquett said. “It’s in print places. I thought he was a beautiful, wonderful horse from Day One. And I hated having to geld him. And when I did, I said, ‘Let’s just make him a racehorse and go try to win the Breeders’ Cup.’ So, we’re good.”
Hymn is one of two winners from two to race out of the stakes placed Salt Bae. That mare is out of a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Agnes World and two other stakes winners. This family also includes Grade 1 winners Tourist, Librettist, Dubai Destination, and Royal Marine among others.
MCKINZIE’s other Saratoga Grade 1 winners include Scottish Lassie and Chancer McPatrick. Scottish Lassie also finished second in the Personal Ensign (G1) a few races before Hymn’s victory.