[[Franklin, Kentucky]], United States"},"inaugurated":{"wt":"1990 ''(as Sam Houston Stakes)''"},"race type":{"wt":"[[Thoroughbred]] – [[Flat racing]]"},"website":{"wt":"[https://themintgaming.com/racing/ Kentucky Downs]"},"distance":{"wt":"{{frac|1|1|2}} miles"},"track":{"wt":"Left-handed"},"qualification":{"wt":"Three-year-olds and older"},"weight":{"wt":"Base weights with allowances:
4-year-olds and up: 126 [[pound (mass)|lbs]].
3-year-olds: 122 [[pound (mass)|lbs]]."},"purse":{"wt":"US$2,000,000 (since 2024)"},"sponsor":{"wt":"[[FanDuel Racing]] (since 2023)"},"bonuses":{"wt":"Winner automatic entry into [[Breeders' Cup Turf]]"}},"i":0}}]}" id="mwAg">Horse race
Grade II race | |
Location | Kentucky Downs Franklin, Kentucky, United States |
---|---|
Inaugurated | 1990 (as Sam Houston Stakes) |
Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
Sponsor | FanDuel Racing (since 2023) |
Website | Kentucky Downs |
Race information | |
Distance | 1+1⁄2 miles |
Surface | Turf |
Track | Left-handed |
Qualification | Three-year-olds and older |
Weight | Base weights with allowances: 4-year-olds and up: 126 lbs. 3-year-olds: 122 lbs. |
Purse | US$2,000,000 (since 2024) |
Bonuses | Winner automatic entry into Breeders' Cup Turf |
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.
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]
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.
The Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes is a Grade I American thoroughbred horse race for three year olds and older over a distance of one mile on the turf held annually in October at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky during the fall meeting.
The Stephen Foster Stakes is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three and older over a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles on the dirt run annually in mid-June at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The race is named in honor of famed composer Stephen Foster, who wrote numerous melodies including "My Old Kentucky Home" which is the song that is annually played as the Kentucky Derby field parades on the track.
The Wise Dan Stakes is a Grade II American thoroughbred horse race for horses four-year-old and older run at a distance of one and one sixteenth of a mile on the turf held annually in June at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Fourstardave Handicap is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for horses that are three years old or older over a distance of one mile on the turf course scheduled annually in August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The event currently carries a purse of $500,000.
The Kentucky Cup Classic Stakesis a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for four-year-olds and older over a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles on the polytrack track scheduled annually in late March at Turfway Park in the Cincinnati, Ohio suburb of Florence, Kentucky. The event currently offers a purse of $300,000.
The Sam F. Davis Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three years old horses over the distance of 1+1⁄16 miles on the dirt scheduled annually in February at Tampa Bay Downs racetrack in Oldsmar, Florida. The event currently carries a purse of $250,000.
The Locust Grove Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares, age three and older, over a distance of 1+1⁄16 miles held annually in September during the early fall meeting at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The current purse is $400,000.
The Cardinal Stakes is a Grade III American thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares three-years-old and older over a distance of one and one eighth miles on the turf held annually in November at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The event offers a purse of $100,000.
The Woodford Stakes is a Grade II American thoroughbred horse race for horses age three and older over a distance of 5+1⁄2 furlongs on the turf held annually in early October at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky during the fall meeting.
Einstein was a Thoroughbred racehorse who competed in the United States.
The John B. Connally Turf Cup is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race, for four-year-olds and older over a distance of one and one-half miles on the turf track, held annually in late January or early February at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, Texas. The event currently carries a purse of $200,000.
The Houston Ladies Classic Stakes is a Grade III American thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age four and older over a distance of one and aon-sixteenth miles on the dirt track held annually in late January at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, Texas. The event currently carries a purse of $300,000.
The Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint Stakes, raced as the Exacta Systems Ladies Sprint Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares that are three years old or older, over a distance of 6+1⁄2 furlongs 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 $1,500,000 which includes $400,000 from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.
The Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint Stakes, raced as the Ainsworth Turf Sprint Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three years old or older, over a distance of six furlongs 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.
The Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares that are three years old or older, over a distance of 1 mile 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 $1,500,000 which includes $600,000 from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.
The Mint Millions Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three years olds and older, over a distance of one mile on the turf held annually in September at Kentucky Downs racetrack in Franklin, Kentucky during their short turf meeting. The event currently carries an offered purse of $2,000,000 which includes $1,000,000 from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.
The Nashville Derby is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three years olds, over a distance of one and five-sixteenths miles on the turf held annually in late August or early September at Kentucky Downs racetrack in Franklin, Kentucky during their short turf meeting.
The Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares that are three years old or older, over a distance of one and five-sixteenths 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.
Regal Glory is a Champion American multiple Grade I turf winning Thoroughbred racehorse. Her Grade I victories include the Matriarch Stakes twice at Del Mar and in 2022 the Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland and Just A Game Stakes at Belmont Park. In 2022 she was awarded the Eclipse award as American Champion Female Turf Horse.
Casa Creed is an American multiple Grade I turf winning Thoroughbred racehorse. His Grade I wins included the Jaipur Stakes both in 2021 and 2022 at Belmont Park, and the Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga Race Course in 2022 and 2023.
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