Not This Time’s Rhetorical got his second career Grade 1 win on Derby Day at Churchill Downs with a front-running victory in the $1.5 million Turf Classic (G1).

Not This Time solidified his spot atop the 2026 General Sire list with four graded winners over the weekend at Churchill Downs. In addition to Rhetorical, Cy Fair won the Mamzelle S. (G3), On Time Girl the Eight Belles S. (G2) and Imaginationthelady the Edgewood S. (G2).

Owned by Gary Barber, Cheyenne Stable, LLC and Wachtel Stable, Rhetorical’s big payday upped his earnings to $1,806,730, making him racing’s newest millionaire. Winner of the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland last autumn, Rhetorical is 6-0-2 in nine starts.

Sent off the 2-1 favorite in the star-studded international field, Rhetorical sprung out of the gate quickest of all and led the way through unpressed fractions of :23.51 and :47.40. The pace picked up slightly on the final turn and Rhetorical came into the stretch with a one length lead. Roused by his rider Irad Ortiz, Jr., he sprinted away from the field to win by 3 ¼-lengths in 1:45.96 for the 1 1/8-miles on the firm turf.

The final time was just a half-second off the track record.

“The key for this horse was getting him in front,” said winning trainer Will Walden. “He’s a real Alpha male; he wants to dominate every group of horses.”

Bred in New York by Mallory Mort & Karen Mort, 5-year-old Rhetorical is a half-brother to $1.4 million earner Sterling Silver.