For the first time in its history, Kentucky Downs will host a Grade 1 race on Saturday. In terms of interest, however, the $2 million Franklin-Simpson (G1) will be farther down the pecking order than, for example, the $2 million Turf Sprint (G2).
With its lucrative purse and status as a “Win & You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at Del Mar in November, the Turf Sprint has naturally attracted the division’s finest. The leader of the pack all season has been Cogburn, who will seek a bit of redemption Saturday having run fifth in last year’s Turf Sprint. So far, the 2023 edition has been the only loss Cogburn has incurred over the grass.
Prior to his defeat by less than a length to Gear Jockey, Cogburn served notice of being a specialist on the rise. In the Troy (G3) at Saratoga last summer, Cogburn defeated Nobals, the eventual winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita as well as the mare Caravel, who had upset the 2022 edition of that race held at Keeneland.
Cogburn did not contest the Breeders’ Cup himself after his Kentucky Downs loss but has been marvelous in two starts this term. A dazzling winner of the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) on Kentucky Derby Day, he next landed the Jaipur (G1) on the Belmont Stakes Day undercard at Saratoga while covering 5 1/2 furlongs in a North American record time of :59.80.
Gear Jockey is going for a three-peat in Kentucky Downs’ Turf Sprint, but the seven-year-old has not started since finishing 11th of 12 in the Breeders’ Cup equivalent last November. Nor has Nobals seen much action since, finishing fourth in his July 28 comeback at Saratoga against allowance foes.
One Timer, runner-up to Gear Jockey as a strong 3-2 favorite in last year’s renewal, has finished second in both outings this season, including a head loss in an allowance last weekend. Also lining up are Grooms All Bizness, a stakes winner at Pimlico and Monmouth during the spring, and Charcoal, who captured the stakes prep for this at Ellis Park last month.
Adding foreign intrigue is Khaadem, upset winner of the last two editions of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee (G1) at Royal Ascot. The eight-year-old was an 80-1 winner of the event in 2023 and a less-surprising 14-1 scorer in his title defense on June 22. However, he’s rarely replicated that form elsewhere, as shown by his recent up-the-track finishes in the July Cup (G1) and Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1).
Given Cogburn’s performance over the course last year, Saturday perhaps will be his rivals’ best chance all season to beat him. But they shouldn’t count on it.
The aforementioned Franklin-Simpson, like the Turf Sprint, will be run over 6 1/2 furlongs, though it is restricted to three-year-olds only.
The overflow field lacks a standout, though stakes winners like Joe Shiesty, Apollo Ten, Smokey Smokey, and Please Advise all have claims. Hedwig ran well over the course a year ago, while Mansa Musa, Howard Wolowitz, and Yellow Card all ran below expectations in the Mahony S. at Saratoga last out and might fare better. Europe is represented by the newly gelded Evade, a minor stakes winner at Epsom during the spring and now in the barn of Mike Maker.
The $2 million Music City S. for three-year-old fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs is similarly contentious. The field includes Grade 3 winners Time to Dazzle, Pipsy, and Pounce, while Kairyu, Buttercream Babe, and Vive Veuve have all come close at higher levels.
Some respectable-looking fillies have been left on the outside looking in from the also-eligible list. The most notable of them is Twirling Queen, who is undefeated in four starts since joining the Jose D’Angelo stable. The streak includes stakes wins at Gulfstream, Churchill, and Saratoga.
