STAUNCH (c, 2, Liam's Map–Future Show, by Malibu Moon) was called on for more late in the lane, and did not disappoint his backers with a smart kick that propelled him to a maiden graduation at second asking at Churchill.Debuted Aug. 21 at Ellis Park, the grey ran third that afternoon after being asked to close from well off the pace in a six-furlong dash on the main track. He was 6-1 that afternoon, but attracted enough attention from the betting public here that they sent him off as the 2-1 favorite ahead of Bob Baffert's Riccelli (Nyquist) on the far outside.Breaking well but outfooted to the lead by the California invader, he was content to watch the action from fifth along the rail while Riccelli lead the procession through a pressured opening quarter in :22.64. Staunch took the inland route as they swung off the bend, and had the longtime leader in his sights as he steadily closed the gap between them.Overhauling Riccelli in midstretch while Gun for Glory (Gun Runner) tried to keep pace with him late, the grey kicked home to a four-length victory over his trailing pursuers. It was a good distance back to the rest of the field.The victor is the most recent to the races, and second consecutive winner, for his dam. Future Show, a half-sister to the dam of GSW Anglophile (English Channel), has a 2026 Gun Pilot colt to her credit and was bred to Hopkins for 2027. Staunch hails from the immediate female family of Group 1 winner Crowded House (GB) (Rainbow Quest) and no less than four other Group/Grade I winners.5th-Churchill Downs, $114,188, Msw, 9-26, 2yo, 7 1/2f, 1:30.00, ft, 4 lengths.STAUNCH (c, 2, Liam's Map–Future Show, by Malibu Moon) Sales history: $235,000 Ylg '25 KEESEP; $300,000 2yo '26 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $78,668. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.O-Bourbon Fueled Racing; B-Runnymede Farm LLC, Peter J Callahan & Enid Sanford (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh. as the steadfast favorite wins R5 at @ChurchillDowns.Jockey @Tyler_Gaff makes moves for trainer @brenpwalsh.#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/B19slaRvJY— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) September 26, 2026The post Liam’s Map’s Staunch Puts Away Churchill Rivals at Second Asking appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.