One of six seven-figure stakes on a 12-race program at Kentucky Downs, the $2 million Kentucky Turf Cup (G2) will award a guaranteed berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) as part of the “Win & You’re In” challenge series. The 11-horse field has some international flavor, with Irish Group 3 winner Chief Little Rock invading for Coolmore-ownership connections and Aidan O’Brien.
Frankie Dettori, tied for leading riding honors after booting home five winners over the first three days of the seven-day meeting, will pick up the mount on the three-year-old son of Galileo, and Chief Little Rock has been installed as the 4-1 second choice. Winner of the Gallinule (G3) at the Curragh in late May, the bay colt will try to rebound from an unplaced effort in the King Edward VII (G2) during Royal Ascot.
Arlington Million (G1) runner-up Integration has been pegged as the 8-5 early choice in the 1 1/2-mile turf affair. A multiple graded winner last year, the four-year-old colt offered a nice challenge in the stretch of the Arlington Million before coming up a little short to Nations Pride. Kendrick Carmouche retains the mount for Shug McGaughey.
A 19-1 wire-to-wire upset winner last year, Get Smokin will make a title defense and returns to Franklin, Kentucky, in good form for Mark Casse, holding by a nose in the July 20 United Nations (G2) at Monmouth Park. Fernando De La Cruz rides the frontrunner.
Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup victor Highway Robber is also entered, and other contenders include Angophile, Grand Sonata, and Tawny Port.
Ancient Rome figures to go favored in $2 million Mint Million (G3) following a third in the Arlington Million. Trained by Charlie Hills, the five-year-old recorded a half-length win in last year’s running of the one-mile event, and regular rider Jamie Spencer will be in to guide the stalker.
His 10 challengers include Grade 3 winners Emmanuel and Goliad, Shoemaker Mile (G1) runner-up Funtastic Again, stakes veteran Talk of the Nation, and Mountain Bear, who exits a close second in an Irish Group 3 event for O’Brien.
Third in the Robert G. Dick Memorial (G3) last out, Vergara will seek a repeat win in the $2 million Ladies Marathon (G3) at 1 5/16 miles. The five-year-old mare raced up close to the pace before scoring by nearly a length as the favorite last year, and Tyler Gaffalione will take over the reins for Graham Motion.
Her eight challengers include Grade 3 winner Chop Chop, Beverly D. (G2) third Neecie Marie, and multiple Irish stakes winner Greenfinch.
