Stark Contrast (foaled March 2, 2023) is a Grade I winning American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2026 American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs.
Background Stark Contrast is a bay colt who was bred in Kentucky by Mrs. Jerry Amerman and is owned by Amerman Racing with her husband John. He is out of the Graded-placed Quality Road mare Catch the Eye. Catch the Eye finished third in the 2020 Grade III John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar Racetrack. Catch the Eye was also bred by Mrs. Jerry Amerman and her dam, the Irish-bred Turns My Head was bought by Amerman Racing in 2008 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sales.
Stark Contrast's sire is Caravaggio who was an outstanding two-year-old in 2016 in Great Britain and Ireland. In 2025 Caravaggio stood at Japanese Bloodhorse Breeders' Association Shizunai Stallion Station.
Stark Contrast is trained by trainer Michael W. McCarthy.
Statistics Date Distance Race Grade Track Odds Field Finish WinningTime Winning(Losing)Margin Jockey Ref2025 – Two-year-old season 6 furlongs Maiden Special Weight Del Mar 17.80 6 4 1:10.17 ( lengths) 1 mile Maiden Special Weight Del Mar 3.40* 10 1 1:36.96 1 length 1 mile Zuma Beach Stakes III Santa Anita 3.60 5 1 1:35.38 1 length 1 mile Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf I Del Mar 58.20 14 21:34.93 ( length) 2026 – Three-year-old season 1 mile Eddie Logan Stakes Listed Santa Anita 0.30* 5 1 1:35.38 lengths miles Jeff Ruby Steaks III Turfway Park 2.22 12 2 1:49.84 ( lengths) miles American Turf Stakes I Churchill Downs 1.20* 13 1 1:40.31 lengths
Legend:
Notes:
An (*) asterisk after the odds means Stark Contrast was the post-time favourite.
Pedigree
References