Literate edges Devassa in Likely Exchange
Stakes recap by publicist Kevin Kerstein (Coady Media photos of Literate in the Likely Exchange)
FLORENCE, Ky. (Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026) – C2 Racing Stable and BAG Racing’s Literate was able to find her best stride late to get by Devassa in the shadow of the wire and win Saturday night’s 28th running of the $120,000 Likely Exchange presented by Claiborne Farm at Turfway Park Racing & Gaming.
Literate, now a six-time winner from 20 starts, was ridden to victory by Luan Machado for Brad Cox. She completed the one-mile distance in 1:38.55.
It was a quick tempo to begin the Likely Exchange where Velvet Devil set the pace from the rail while cruising a quarter-mile in :23.78. As Velvet Devil entered the backstretch, she was joined to her outside by Trial and sped a half-mile in :47.84. While the duo battled on the lead, Machado had Literate positioned in last but she quickly began to move into contention around the far turn. At the top of the stretch Trial briefly took the lead but was overtaken on her outside by 15-1 longshot Devassa (BRZ), who attempted to kick clear of the field. However, in the final furlong, Literate found her best stride and got the better of Devassa by a half-length.
It was 2 ½ lengths back to Love Song in third. She was followed by Trial, Condone, Hello Hello Hello, Velvet Devil and Cairo Consort.
With her victory in the Likely Exchange, Literate earned a $10,000 stallion credit at Claiborne Farm that can be used upon her retirement. Devassa earned $5,000 while Love Song earned $2,500. The credits expire at the end of the 2027 breeding season.
Literate is a 6-year-old bay mare by Oscar Performance out of the Henrythenavigator mare Infanta Branca. She was bred in Kentucky by the Don Alberto Corporation. Literate’s win banked her connections $75,140 to improve her overall earnings to $371,357. After spending most of her career racing at Woodbine near Toronto and Gulfstream Park, she was sent to Cox this past fall, with the Likely Exchange being her third start in the new barn.
Live racing will resume Wednesday-Saturday at Turfway Park with daily first posts of 5:55 p.m. For the latest information about racing and gaming, visit www.turfway.com.
Apprentice Xarel Forde settling into Turfway after riding in Barbados, Woodbine
Apprentice jockey Xarel Forde has begun to make his presence felt at Turfway Park this winter, continuing his transition to the Kentucky circuit after building skills both in his native Barbados and last year at Woodbine.
Forde, 21, learned his trade riding at Garrison Savannah, a small track that he said helped shape his race awareness and decision-making before his move to larger circuits.
“Coming from a small track with tight turns teaches you to be sharp,” Forde said. “You have to think quickly and stay aware. When you move to a bigger track, that actually becomes an advantage.”
After leaving Barbados, Forde advanced to the Canadian circuit, riding primarily at Woodbine, where he gained experience on both turf and synthetic surfaces. The transition, he said, came with its own challenges.
“The biggest adjustment was the weather,” Forde said. “That was the only thing that really gave me a fight at first, but I pushed through it and got comfortable.”
Now riding at Turfway Park, Forde has teamed with leading jockey agent Jose Santos Jr.as he continues to establish himself in Kentucky. Forde has won 56 races overall in his career and won three of 10 starts during the holiday meet since arriving at Turfway on Dec. 17.
“Trainers keep telling me I’m not really riding like a bug boy,” Forde said. “I just focus on executing my rides and being confident, whether I’m on a longshot or a favorite.”
Santos said Forde’s background and approach have translated well to Turfway’s Tapeta surface.
“Xarel has been a pleasure to work with,” Santos said. “He’s quickly gotten noticed by the way he carries himself in the mornings and during the races. The way he rides races, you’d think he’s been a professional for years.”
— Kevin Kerstein
