Wikipedia

Kentucky Turf Cup

The Kentucky Turf Cup is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds and older, over a distance of 1+1⁄2 miles on the turf, held annually in September at Kentucky Downs racetrack in Franklin, Kentucky, during their short turf meeting. The event currently carries a purse of $2,000,000, which includes $1,000,000 from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.

Kentucky Turf Cup
Grade II race
LocationKentucky Downs
Franklin, Kentucky, United States
Inaugurated1990 (as Sam Houston Stakes)
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
SponsorFanDuel Racing (since 2023)
WebsiteKentucky Downs
Race information
Distance1+1⁄2 miles
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds and older
WeightBase weights with allowances:
4-year-olds and up: 126 lbs.
3-year-olds: 122 lbs.
PurseUS$2,000,000 (since 2024)
BonusesWinner automatic entry into Breeders' Cup Turf

History

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The event was inaugurated on 22 April 1990 as the Sam Houston Stakes on the first ever meeting at the new track, then the Duelling Grounds Racecourse.[1] The race was in honor of Sam Houston, who took part in a duel on the site of where the racetrack is located near the border of Kentucky and Tennessee.[2] The following year, the event was renamed the Sam Houston Handicap, and conditions were changed to a handicap.[3][4]

In 1996 and 1997, the event was not held because the track was shut down and in bankruptcy proceedings.[5]

When the track reopened in 1998, the race was renamed the Kentucky Cup Turf Handicap as part of the Kentucky Cup Turf Festival. In 2001, the event was classified as a Grade III.[6]

In 2019, the purse was increased to $1,000,000.[6]

In 2021, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association upgraded the event to a Grade II.[7] For the 2021 running, Kentucky Downs renamed the event The Calumet Turf Cup, which Calumet Farm sponsors.[8] The event winner, Imperador, set a new track record for the distance of 2:25.70.[9]

Records

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Speed record
  • 1+1⁄2 miles: 2:24.93 – Grand Sonata (2024) (new track record)
Margins
  • 6+3⁄4 lengths – Silverfoot (2005)
Most wins
  • 2 – Rochester (2002, 2003)
  • 2 – Da Big Hoss (2015, 2016)
  • 2 – Arklow (2018, 2020)
Most wins by an owner
  • 2 – Augustin Stable (2002, 2003)
  • 2 – Robert E. Courtney Jr. (2011, 2012)
  • 2 – Skychia Racing (2015, 2016)
  • 2 – Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger & Peter Coneway (2018, 2020)
Most wins by a jockey
Most wins by a trainer

Winners

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Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
Kentucky Turf Cup
2024 Grand Sonata 5 Tyler Gaffalione Todd A. Pletcher Whisper Hill Farm 1+1⁄2 miles 2:24.93 $1,995,000 II [10]
2023 Get Smokin 6 Fernando De La Cruz Mark E. Casse Ironhorse Racing Stable, BlackRidge Stables, T-N-T Equine Holdings & Saratoga Seven Racing Partners 1+1⁄2 miles 2:28.66 $1,675,429 II [11]
2022 Red Knight 8 Gerardo Corrales Michael J. Maker Trinity Farm 1+1⁄2 miles 2:26.96 $694,180 II [12]
Calumet Turf Cup
2021 Imperador (ARG) 5 Joseph Talamo Paulo Lobo Bonne Chance Farm and Stud R D I 1+1⁄2 miles 2:25.10 $715,105 II [9]
Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes
2020 Arklow 6 Florent Geroux Brad H. Cox Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger & Peter Coneway 1+1⁄2 miles 2:28.66 $910,000 III [13]
2019 Zulu Alpha 6 Jose L. Ortiz Michael J. Maker Michael M. Hui 1+1⁄2 miles 2:28.62 $986,500 III [14]
2018 Arklow 4 Florent Geroux Brad H. Cox Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger & Peter Coneway 1+1⁄2 miles 2:30.56 $746,500 III [15]
2017 Oscar Nominated 4 Julien R. Leparoux Michael J. Maker Ken & Sarah Ramsey 1+1⁄2 miles 2:31.37 $594,000 III [16]
2016 Da Big Hoss 5 Florent Geroux Michael J. Maker Skychai Racing (Harvey Diamond & Jim Shircliff) 1+1⁄2 miles 2:35.08 $594,180 III [17]
2015 Da Big Hoss 4 Joseph Rocco Jr. Michael J. Maker Skychai Racing (Harvey Diamond & Jim Shircliff) 1+1⁄2 miles 2:33.40 $600,000 III [18]
2014 Suntracer 6 Florent Geroux Chris M. Block Team Block 1+1⁄2 miles 2:27.12 $347,400 III [19]
2013 Temeraine 4 Gary L. Stevens Thomas F. Proctor Niall Racing (Timothy B. & Patrick F. Turney) 1+1⁄2 miles 2:29.18 $399,000 III [20]
2012 Ioya Bigtime 8 Jeffrey Sanchez Chris M. Block Robert E. Courtney Jr. 1+1⁄2 miles 2:30.06 $200,000 III [21]
2011 Rahystrada 7 Greta Kuntzweiler Byron G. Hughes Robert E. Courtney Jr. 1+1⁄2 miles 2:32.40 $150,000 III [22]
2010 Rezif 5 Greta Kuntzweiler Matthew Jacobson Donald Sexton, Matthew Jacobson & Thomas Baughman 1+1⁄2 miles 2:44.74 $150,000 III [23]
2009 Cloudy's Knight 9 Rosemary Homeister Jr. Jonathan E. Sheppard S J Stables (Shirley & Jerrold Schwartz) 1+1⁄2 miles 2:33.96 $150,000 III [24]
2008 Rumor Has It 7 Eduardo E. Perez David H. Hinsley William S. Patterson & James F. Glenn 1+1⁄2 miles 2:28.27 $200,000 III [25]
2007 General Jumbo (GB) 5 Jeremy Rose H. Graham Motion Thomas Conway 1+1⁄2 miles 2:26.98 $200,000 III [26]
2006 Embossed (IRE) 4 Larry Melancon Niall M. O'Callaghan Gary A. Tanaka 1+1⁄2 miles 2:36.92 $200,000 III [27]
2005 Silverfoot 5 Rafael Bejarano Dallas Stewart Chrysalis Stables (Stephanie S. Clark) 1+1⁄2 miles 2:30.30 $200,000 III [28]
Kentucky Turf Cup Handicap
2004 Sabiango (GER) 6 Brice Blanc Tim Yakteen Monty Roberts 1+1⁄2 miles 2:33.70 $200,000 III [29]
2003 † Rochester 7 Eddie Martin Jr. Jonathan E. Sheppard Augustin Stable 1+1⁄2 miles 2:31.39 $200,000 III [30]
2002 Rochester 6 Eddie Martin Jr. Jonathan E. Sheppard Augustin Stable 1+1⁄2 miles 2:38.28 $300,000 III [31]
2001 Chorwon 8 Jon Court Hal R. Wiggins Phoebe Ann Mueller 1+1⁄2 miles 2:28.68 $300,000 III [32]
2000 Down the Aisle 7 Robby Albarado William I. Mott Charles H. Deters 1+1⁄2 miles 2:27.70 $300,000 Listed [33]
1999 Fahris (IRE) 5 Shane Sellers Kiaran P. McLaughlin Shadwell Stable 1+1⁄2 miles 2:29.60 $300,000 Listed [34]
1998 Yaqthan (IRE) 8 Brian Dale Peck Anthony L. Reinstedler Merdonmar Stable (Sheikh Abdullah Majid Al Qasin) 1+1⁄2 miles 2:27.60 $300,000 Listed [35]
1996–1997 Race not held
Sam Houston Handicap
1995 Lassigny 4 Pat Day William I. Mott Sultan bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Kabeer abt. 1+1⁄2 miles 2:30.60 $250,000 Listed [36]
1994 Lindon Lime 4 Shane Sellers W. Elliott Walden Frank ManseII abt. 1+1⁄2 miles 2:31.40 $300,000 Listed [37]
1993 Know Heights (IRE) 4 Kent Desormeaux Robert B. Hess Jr. Mike H. Sloan, et al. abt. 1+1⁄2 miles 2:25.60 $300,000 Listed [38]
1992 Drummer Boy 4 Garrett Gomez Dennis W. Ebert Elise M. Ebert & Eleanore Cohen abt. 1+1⁄2 miles 2:28.40 $300,000 Listed [39]
1991 Silver Medallion 5 Craig Perret Philip M. Hauswald John A. Franks abt. 1+1⁄2 miles 2:31.30 $200,000 Listed [3]
1990 Slow Fuse 6 Randy P. Romero J. Bert Sonnier Saron Stable abt. 1+1⁄2 miles 2:33.60 $250,000 [1]

Notes:
† In the 2003 running, Art Variety was first past the post but was disqualified for interference in the straight and placed third. Rochester was declared the winner.


See also

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List of American and Canadian Graded races

References

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  1. ^ a b "Romero stands up early, but Slow Fuse recovers for Sam Houston victory (1990 Sam Houston Stakes – race 4: held 22 April 1990)". The Courier-Journal. Associated Press. 23 April 1990. pp. 6, 10. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  2. ^ Talbott, Tim (2020). "Noted Dueling Ground/Sanford Duncan Inn". Kentucky Historical Society. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  3. ^ a b "1991 Sam Houston Handicap Listed - (race 6)". Equibase. 21 April 1991. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  4. ^ "KENTUCKY TURF CUP STAKES - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  5. ^ "From 'Ant Hills' To Upping The Ante: The History Of Kentucky Downs". Paullick Report. 2 September 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes profile". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  7. ^ Schweigardt, Andrew (2021). "TOBA Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes for 2021". Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  8. ^ "2021 Kentucky Downs Condition Book". equibase. Kentucky Downs. 2021. p. 12. Retrieved 11 August 2021. FIFTH DAY -- Saturday, September 11, 2021 Eighth Race The 30th Running of The Calumet Turf Cup "Win and You're In Breeders' Cup Turf" $1,000,000 Grade II
  9. ^ a b "2021 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  10. ^ "2024 Fan Duel TV Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 2 - (race 10)". Equibase. 7 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  11. ^ "2023 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 2 - (race 12)". Equibase. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  12. ^ "2022 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 2 - (race 10)". Equibase. 10 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  13. ^ "2020 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  14. ^ "2019 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 7 September 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  15. ^ "2018 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 8 September 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  16. ^ "2017 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 9 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  17. ^ "2016 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 10 September 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  18. ^ "2015 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 14 September 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  19. ^ "2014 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 13 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  20. ^ "2013 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  21. ^ "2012 Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  22. ^ "2011 Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  23. ^ "2010 Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 13)". Equibase. 11 September 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  24. ^ "2009 Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 13)". Equibase. 19 September 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  25. ^ "2008 Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 15)". Equibase. 13 September 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  26. ^ "2007 Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 14)". Equibase. 22 September 2007. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  27. ^ "2006 Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 4)". Equibase. 26 September 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  28. ^ "2005 Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 14)". Equibase. 24 September 2005. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  29. ^ "2004 Kentucky Cup Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 14)". Equibase. 25 September 2004. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  30. ^ "2003 Kentucky Cup Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 14)". Equibase. 20 September 2003. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  31. ^ "2002 Kentucky Cup Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 14)". Equibase. 21 September 2002. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  32. ^ "2001 Kentucky Cup Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 14)". Equibase. 23 September 2001. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  33. ^ "2000 Kentucky Cup Turf Handicap Listed - (race 14)". Equibase. 23 September 2000. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  34. ^ "1999 Kentucky Cup Turf Handicap Listed - (race 11)". Equibase. 26 September 1999. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  35. ^ "1998 Kentucky Cup Turf Handicap Listed - (race 11)". Equibase. 19 September 1998. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  36. ^ "1995 Sam Houston Handicap Listed - (race 5)". Equibase. 24 September 1995. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  37. ^ "1994 Sam Houston Handicap Listed - (race 3)". Equibase. 25 September 1994. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  38. ^ "1993 Sam Houston Handicap Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 26 September 1993. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  39. ^ "1992 Sam Houston Handicap Listed - (race 6)". Equibase. 11 October 1992. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
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