Three years after a bang-up run in the Kentucky Derby, O Besos kicked things off in momentous fashion on Thursday at Churchill by landing a stakes triumph in the $200,000 St. Matthews.

Now 6 years old, O Besos roared home with a last-to-first drive under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. for trainer Greg Foley.

O Besos had been knocking on the door and picking up big checks for much of his career, including in the Run for the Roses in 2021 when he finished fifth and was promoted to fourth via the disqualification of Medina Spirit. O Besos also hit the board in the Louisiana Derby (G2) that spring. After focusing on one-turn races, he finished second by a head in last summer’s Jeff Hall Memorial at Ellis Park and was a late-running fifth in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Keeneland.

The handsome chestnut was making his first start of the year in the six-furlong St. Matthews.

Irad said, “They went pretty quick in front of me but he traveled beautifully. He just ranged up to them and came home really good.”

Foley said, “O Besos has had a bunch of tough beats throughout his career. It’s hard to believe, but this is his first stakes win. He went into this race really well. He was ready to run.”

Campaigned by West Point, Bernard Racing, Tagg Team Racing and Terry Stephens in a racing partnership, O Besos has now earned $760,929.