Kentucky Downs will host the $2 million Turf Cup on September 5
Danny brewer
With the run towards the Breeders’ Cup in full flight, Kentucky Downs will take center stage in the turf division. The Kentucky Turf Cup will offer a fees paid berth into the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland this fall. This mile and a half race was first contested in 1990 as the Sam Houston Stakes at this same track which was then known as The Dueling Grounds. Now offering a hefty $2 million purse, this grade 2 event has attracted ten accomplished runners from across the globe. Included in this group is world traveler and defending Breeders’ Cup Turf champion Ethical Diamond. Perhaps one of the hottest turf runners in the game, Burnham Square is the morning line favorite and defending champion Ole Crazy Bone is back hoping to repeat. The runners will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line. The Kentucky Turf Cup is carded as race 7 on a blockbuster 12 race card on September 5 with an expected post time of 3:56 pm central. The race is slated to be televised by NBC.
1 Tiffany
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott
Jockey: Luke Morris
Odds: 9-2
European girl taking on the boys for a load of cash. She has been in the top three in 16 of 18 starts with 8 trips to the winner’s circle. This will be her first trip across the big pond and that obviously creates question marks. Tall task, but she seems to know how to finish. A horse for your superfecta ticket.
2 Desvio
Trainer: Madison Myers
Jockey: John Velazquez
Odds: 30-1
Veteran runner that has been knocking on the door of late with last six starts being in Stakes company with six finishes in top four but only one win. That win came in October of 2025 at Keeneland in the Sycamore Stakes at this same distance. We are looking elsewhere.
3 Dresden Row
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Tyler Gafflione
Odds: 12-1
Ultra consistent runner that has been in the top three in all 19 career starts. Six of his eight wins have come on the all-weather track at Woodbine. Two wins this year have been on turf at Keeneland and Churchill at a mile and a sixteenth. Distance will be the question here. Might be his first time out of the top three.
4 Eff Thirty Five
Trainer: Mike Maker
Jockey: Antonio Fresu
Odds: 30-1
Won both starts this year and has eight wins in twenty lifetime starts. Pennsylvania-bred has yet to win in graded stakes company but his conditioner has been very good at Kentucky Downs and is also highly successful at elevating these types of runners. Not on our radar but this is Kentucky Downs.
Kentucky Downs will offer incentives to those winners bred in Kentucky.
Danny Brewer
5 Layabout
Trainer Patrick Biancone
Jockey: Keith Asmussen
Odds: 20-1
Ran fourth in the Arlington Million in his last start and was fourth last year in the Gun Runner Stakes at Kentucky Downs beaten by just two lengths in his lone start away from Gulfstream Park. Won at this distance in the William McKnight Stakes in January. Might be a price play in your exotic wagers.
6 Ethical Diamond
Trainer: William P Mullins
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Odds: 3-1
World traveler that won Breeders’ Cup Turf last year at a big price. Won his last start in Ireland and ships in hoping to add to his bankroll. Big closing kick could get him in the money but thus far front-end speed has been holding. Put him in your superfecta.
Burnham Square brings a four race win streak into the Turf Cup
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7 Burnham Square
Trainer: Ian Wilkes
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Odds: 2-1
Grade 1 winner on dirt and turf and has enjoyed four straight trips to the winner’s circle. Won the Arlington Million in his last start on August 1. Was beaten by a head in last year’s Nashville Derby at Kentucky Downs. Our top choice to take home the big prize in this year’s Kentucky Turf Cup.
8 Ole Crazy Bone
Trainer: Mike Maker
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Odds: 8-1
Won this race a year ago with a pace-stalking trip and furious kick down the home stretch that established a new track record (2:24.72). Gets a top rider in the irons and conditioner has won this race a record six times. A repeat would not be out of the question. One for all your multi-race and exotic wagers.
9 Echo Lane
Trainer: Rohan Crichton
Jockey: Luis Saez
Odds: 30-1
Son of Treasure Beach has made ten starts in Stakes company but has not visited the winner’s circle. Has twenty finishes in top three in thirty-one career starts but has never raced at Kentucky Downs. Jockey makes any of his mounts dangerous but not our choice here.
10 Fort George
Trainer: Ed Walker
Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Odds: 9-2
Beaten by a nose in Bowling Green Stakes at Saratoga in his last start. Prior to that, all of his previous starts have been abroad with eleven finishes in the top three in thirteen career outings. Likely the most live of the European shippers. An exotic play for sure.
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