Gary Barber, Cheyenne Stable LLC, and Wachtel Stable’s brilliant turfer Rhetorical returned Saturday to Keeneland, the scene of his first Grade 1 win, and scored a repeat win in the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) in front-running style.

The Turf Mile is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series race, and he earned a fees-paid automatic entry into the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), which is also at Keeneland on Oct. 31.

Rhetorical took the opportunity to take the lead right from the start and was allowed to set leisurely fractions of :24.73 and :49.76 while maintaining a one-length lead. Going around the final turn, Zulu Kingdom (IRE) put the pressure on, but got no closer than a half-length after turning for home. Rhetorical bounded clear in the final furlong to win by 2 ¼-lengths over Lake Forest (GB).

“I couldn’t be prouder of the horse,” said Will Walden. “Look, he’s an incredibly talented individual.”

Now a three-time Grade 1 winner, Rhetorical is 7-0-2 in 12 starts and has earned $2,508.480. The dark bay 5-year-old was bred in New York by Mallory & Karen Mort.