Pegram plane allows Prat to make it to Churchill on time
Churchill Downs’ update by track’s publicity department. Coady Media/Pumita Rodriguez photo of Flavien Prat winning Saturday night’s Seneca four Consequent’s fourth victory in four starts
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026) – After spending the afternoon riding on the Pennsylvania Derby Day card at Parx, Flavien Prat finished his Saturday under the lights beneath the Twin Spires when he guided Consequent to her fourth consecutive victory in four career starts and narrowly missing another stakes win aboard Explora for trainer Bob Baffert.
Prat, who guided Consequent to a 4 3/4-length victory over Answered Prayers, credited Explora’s co-owner Mike Pegram with making the trip between the two tracks a comfortable one.
“Thanks to Mr. Pegram, I was able to fly on his plane from Parx to Churchill Downs and got here with plenty of time,” Prat said. “I was ready to go, and I’m glad things worked out with Consequent winning and Explora running a big race.”
Both fillies made the trip worthwhile. Explora earned a 94 Brisnet Speed Rating while finishing a head behind Conceit in the $299,000 Dogwood Stakes presented by Resolute Racing (GIII) and Consequent followed with a career-best 95 in her 4 ¾-length victory in the $199,000 Seneca Overnight Stakes. Consequent now is 4 for 4, having won an Ellis Park allowance this summer after taking a Del Mar maiden and Los Alamitos’ G2 Starlet Stakes last year.
Earlier in the day, Prat rode in seven races at Parx and finished second aboard Further Ado in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (GI). He was scheduled to ride in eight races on Sunday at Belmont Park in New York.
DOWN THE STRETCH – Jockey Cristian Torres reported Saturday night via X that he was sore but had no broken bones after Saturday’s second-race incident at Churchill Downs that also sent jockeys Martin Garcia and Walter Rodriguez to a local hospital. All three riders will be off their Sunday mounts. Garcia incurred a rib injury, according to his agent Jake Romans, while Rodriguez had concussion-like symptoms and is expected to be sidelined for about a month, according to his agent Cliff Collier. The incident occurred on the far turn when Lutkenhaus sustained a catastrophic left front leg injury, causing five other horses to lose their riders. Lutkenhaus was humanely euthanized following evaluation by on-track veterinarians, according to Dr. Will Farmer, Churchill Downs Incorporated Equine Medical Director. The other five horses returned to the barn area. … Jockey Florent Geroux returned home Saturday after spending nine days in University of Louisville Hospital from a Sept. 10 incident where he broke several ribs. … Racing resumed at Churchill Downs on Sunday for a 10-race card that began at 12:45 p.m. There was a $62,024 carryover in the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot, an $8,011 carryover in the $1 Super Hi 5 in Race 1 and a $378,489 carryover in the $1 Jackpot 8 in Race 10. … Following dark days Monday and Tuesday, racing will resume Wednesday-Sunday for closing week of the September Meet. Thursday is the final Twilight Thursday of the year with $2 domestic beer and live music from Kevin Jaggers. College students will have the opportunity to win a $6,000 scholarship courtesy of the KTA and Kentucky HBPA when they visit the information booth on the second floor Paddock Terrace. Thursday’s first post is 5 p.m. with all other days getting underway at 12:45 p.m. … For the latest information about the Churchill Downs September Meet, visitwww.churchilldowns.com.
