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).

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 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.