December 22, 2024

Kentucky Turf Cup draws contentious field of nine

Last updated: 9/11/13 5:10 PM











Three-time stakes winner
Suntracer exits a good second to Dandino in the American St
Leger

(Four Footed Fotos)

Suntracer and Najjaar, the second- and third-place finishers from the
American St Leger, and Arlington Million fifth-placer Temeraine are among the
top draws in the Grade 3, $400,000
Kentucky
Turf Cup
, one of five turf stakes on Saturday’s program at Kentucky Downs. A
total of nine runners will square off in the 1 1/2-mile feature on the
undulating, European-style course near Franklin, Kentucky.

Suntracer enters in good form for trainer Chris Block, recording a second in
the Grade 3 Stars and Stripes before just missing by only a half-length in the 1
11/16-mile St Leger. Eddie Castro retains the mount on the chestnut
five-year-old. Najjaar has made nice strides for conditioner Danny Peitz since
switching back to turf four starts ago, including a good third in the Grade 3
Louisville Handicap at Churchill Downs, and the long-distance specialist
threatened to win the St Leger in midstretch before grudgingly giving way late.
James Graham sticks with the four-year-old colt.

Temeraine posted a commendable second in the Arlington Handicap two starts
back, out-finishing multiple Grade 1 winner Dullahan by a neck, and rallied past
horses in the stretch of the Arlington Million to be fifth at 61-1 odds. The
four-year-old gelding is clearly on the improve for trainer Tom Proctor and
picks up a favorable rider switch to Hall of Famer Gary Stevens.



Kiaran McLaughlin ships in Side Road from New York. Runner-up in the Grade 3
Elkhorn three starts back, the Street Cry colt exits a second in the July 31
John’s Call at Saratoga. Corey Lanerie picks up the mount. Whatthecatdrugin, a
two-time stakes runner-up this summer, wheels back on seven days rest following
a terrible trip in the Presque Isle Mile — the speedy gelding will take his
rivals as far as he can on the front end with Jon Court. Brazilian Group 1 hero
Olympic Thunder will make his third start stateside for Kenny McPeek and Royal
Bench invades for Tom Voss off a win in the August 21 Cape Henlopen at Delaware
Park.

Amen Kitten and Potomac River round out the field.

The $150,000
Kentucky
Downs Juvenile Fillies
kicks off the stakes action with a field of nine
two-year-old fillies at seven furlongs. La Mejor Fiesta rates as a top contender
following her runner-up effort in the July 13 Tippett at Colonial Downs for
Wesley Ward, and Lien on Kitten figures to be well-supported following a nice
debut victory on Arlington’s turf for Ken and Sarah Ramsey and Wayne Catalano. J
J Julep is another maiden winner of note, scoring by 6 1/4 lengths when trying
turf at Ellis Park last out.

The $150,000
Kentucky Downs Juvenile
features eight youngsters over seven panels and
marks the U.S. return of Here’s Johnny, who exits a close fourth versus stakes
foes in Deauville, France, on August 15. The Ward charge easily won at first
asking on Churchill Downs’ turf on June 14. Catalano appears well-represented by
a pair of uncoupled maiden winners in Mister Special and School on a Hill. Tom
Amoss will send out Sweet Daddy, who closed strongly to break his maiden on the
weeds at Indiana Downs, and Dale Romans is responsible for Pure Luxury, who did
not disappoint when taking his first career outing as the favorite at Ellis.

The $150,000
Kentucky
Downs Turf Dash
has attracted an overflow of 13, including an also-eligible,
and Good Lord will make a title defense in the six-furlong affair. The
six-year-old gelding registered his first turf success when posting a 2
1/4-length victory last year and returns in good form for trainer Forest Kaelin,
easily winning the July 20 Don Bernhardt at Ellis last out. Top rivals include
multiple Grade 3 winner Havelock, 2011 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint hero Regally
Ready, multiple stakes victor Saint Leon and the classy turf-sprinting mare
Sweet Cassiopeia.

A well-matched field of 11 is set for the $150,000

Franklin-Simpson Mile
. Depeche Chat surprised at 13-1 when running off to a
6 1/2-length decision in the one-mile affair last year and could be overlooked
once again after recording a dull fifth versus allowance rivals in his 2013 bow
at Indiana Downs on July 19. The Pizza Man will cut back in trip following a
fast-closing third in the Stars and Stripes and Coalport enters in good form,
winning three of his last four starts. Other runners of note include Ol Army,
Trend and Utley.



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