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The $1.7 million, Grade 2 FanDuel Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Saturday at Kentucky Downs will probably run with a full discipline of 12 contemplating there are 4 different horses entered, all of whom are also-eligible (who run if a horse in the primary physique of the race withdraws).
The 1 ½-mile race not solely gives huge prize cash but in addition an computerized entry into the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf in November. Three millionaires are among the many group, led by the winner of the 2022 Kentucky Turf Cup, Crimson Knight, who most just lately closed quick to complete third within the Grade 1 United Nations Stakes. That race was gained by Therapist, who’s an 8-year-old, the identical age as Crimson Knight was when he gained this race final yr. International Relations completed sixth within the United Nations however gained the Grade 3 Louisville Stakes at this distance in Might. Santin gained the Grade 1 Arlington Million Stakes in 2022 and just lately completed second within the 2023 renewal so he suits at this degree; nonetheless, it’s price noting that that is his first ever try on the mile and one-half distance. Verstappen gained the Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes in April on the distance and was just lately second within the Grade 2 Bowling Inexperienced Stakes, by which By no means Clarify completed third. Me and Mr. C gained the Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup Stakes final month and has now gained 10 of 33 races. Cellist is likely one of the also-eligibles, however he suits right here if he attracts into the race as he was second by a neck behind Me and Mr. C within the Preview Turf Cup and gained the 2022 Louisville Stakes. Spooky Channel, who gained the Grade 2 Muniz Memorial Basic Stakes Offered by Horse Racing Nation in March, is one other horse who excels at these marathon distances as he has gained three of six races at 1 ½ miles together with the Grade 3 Sycamore Stakes in 2021. Kitodan is one of some horses with optimistic expertise at Kentucky Downs, having captured the Grade 3 Dueling Grounds Derby final yr. One other Thriller completed quick from 10th to get third and miss successful by a neck behind Crimson Knight in final yr’s Turf Cup and is one other attainable contender. Get Smokin is one other who has by no means run this far however he has run nicely on the degree as he was second within the Grade 2 Smart Dan Stakes in July. Sy Canine (one of many also-eligibles) gained the Grade 3 Transylvania Stakes final yr as a 3-year-old however is winless in six races since. Nautilus, in addition to also-eligibles Highest Honors and Crimson Run, spherical out the sector.
Evaluation and win contenders:
Three trainers who’ve entrants on this race have confirmed to have their horses prepared for this mile and one-half check over the previous 10 years. Paulo Lobo, who saddles Nautilus, gained this race in 2021 with Imperador. Chris Block gained this race in 2014 with Suntracer and could have One other Thriller this yr. Then there’s coach Mike Maker, with 5 wins previously 10 years, together with Crimson Knight final yr. Along with Crimson Knight coming again for a repeat bid, Maker additionally entered Therapist and Me and Mr. C.
Among the many group above, Me and Mr. C is essentially the most intriguing as he enters the Turf Cup on a three-race successful streak and has now gained 10 of 33 begins in his profession. Jockey Gerardo Corrales has ridden Me and Mr. C in his final two races and stays aboard, though he was additionally the one who guided Crimson Knight to win the 2022 Turf Cup. Moreover, Me and Mr. C seems to be on the identical sample as Crimson Knight final yr. Me and Mr. C earned a 96 Equibase Pace Determine successful in June, then improved to 103 together with his victory in July earlier than incomes a career-best 109 determine taking the Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup final month. Final yr, Crimson Knight earned a 108 determine in his earlier begin earlier than a 112 determine when victorious on this race. As such, Me and Mr. C seems able to posting the upset win at 10-1 on the morniing line simply as his stablemate Crimson Knight did on this race final yr when despatched off at 12.02-1 odds
Verstappen proved he belongs within the high turf marathon division with a robust win this previous April within the Elkhorn Stakes, by which he earned a profession finest 112 determine going 1 ½ miles. Previous to that, he gained two races in a row at a 1 ¼ miles and completed second within the Kentucky Cup Basic Stakes on the shorter distance of 1 1/8 miles. Following a seventh-place end behind Crimson Knight within the Man O’ Warfare Stakes in Might, Verstappen was overwhelmed solely a little bit over a size by Me and Mr. C within the Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup in July, and he then improved to be second on the finish of that month within the Bowling Inexperienced Stakes, incomes a 107 determine. This sample suggests he is able to take one other step ahead as he stretches out again to 1 ½ miles within the Turf Cup.
Crimson Knight has now banked over $1.8 million, successful 12 of 33 profession races on turf. Two races after successful the 2022 Kentucky Turf Cup, Crimson Knight gained the William L. McKnight Stakes Offered by Davidoff Cigars again in January on the mile-and-a-half distance with a 113 determine just like the 112 earned within the Turf Cup. Then, two races later he gained the Man o’ Warfare Stakes. In his most up-to-date race on July 22 within the United Nations Stakes, Crimson Knight was final of eight for a lot of the race however managed to cross various horses and end third. That race was held at a mile and three-eighths, so now that he’s returning to his favourite distance of a mile and a half – the place he has gained or positioned six occasions – Crimson Knight has a robust likelihood to turn out to be the third horse in historical past to win this race in back-to-back years, following within the footsteps of Rochester (2002-2003) and Da Huge Hoss (2015-2016).
The remainder of the sector, with their finest Equibase Pace Figures, is One other Thriller (112), Cellist (111), International Relations (106), Get Smokin (115), Highest Honors (111), Kitodan (107), Nautilus (102), By no means Clarify (110), Crimson Run (99), Santin (110), Spooky Channel (112), Sy Canine (111) and Therapist (116).
Predominant Win Contenders (in likelihood/choice order):
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