Kentucky Turf Cup

The Kentucky Turf Cup is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three years 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 $1,7000,000 which includes $400,000 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$1,700,000 (since 2023)
BonusesWinner automatic entry into Breeders' Cup Turf

History

The event was inaugurated on 22 April 1990 as the Sam Houston Stakes on the first ever meeting at the new track then known as 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 to the Sam Houston Handicap, and conditions were changed to a handicap.[3][4]

In 1996 and 1997 the event was not held due to the track being 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 Grade III.[6]

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

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

Records
Speed record
  • 1+1⁄2 miles: 2:25.10 – Imperador (2021) (new course 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
Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
Kentucky Turf Cup
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 [10]
2022 Red Knight 8 Gerardo Corrales Michael J. Maker Trinity Farm 1+1⁄2 miles 2:26.96 $694,180 II [11]
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 [12]
2019 Zulu Alpha 6 Jose L. Ortiz Michael J. Maker Michael M. Hui 1+1⁄2 miles 2:28.62 $986,500 III [13]
2018 Arklow 4 Florent Geroux Brad H. Cox Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger & Peter Coneway 1+1⁄2 miles 2:30.56 $746,500 III [14]
2017 Oscar Nominated 4 Julien R. Leparoux Michael J. Maker Ken & Sarah Ramsey 1+1⁄2 miles 2:31.37 $594,000 III [15]
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 [16]
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 [17]
2014 Suntracer 6 Florent Geroux Chris M. Block Team Block 1+1⁄2 miles 2:27.12 $347,400 III [18]
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 [19]
2012 Ioya Bigtime 8 Jeffrey Sanchez Chris M. Block Robert E. Courtney Jr. 1+1⁄2 miles 2:30.06 $200,000 III [20]
2011 Rahystrada 7 Greta Kuntzweiler Byron G. Hughes Robert E. Courtney Jr. 1+1⁄2 miles 2:32.40 $150,000 III [21]
2010 Rezif 5 Greta Kuntzweiler Matthew Jacobson Donald Sexton, Matthew Jacobson & Thomas Baughman 1+1⁄2 miles 2:44.74 $150,000 III [22]
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 [23]
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 [24]
2007 General Jumbo (GB) 5 Jeremy Rose H. Graham Motion Thomas Conway 1+1⁄2 miles 2:26.98 $200,000 III [25]
2006 Embossed (IRE) 4 Larry Melancon Niall M. O'Callaghan Gary A. Tanaka 1+1⁄2 miles 2:36.92 $200,000 III [26]
2005 Silverfoot 5 Rafael Bejarano Dallas Stewart Chrysalis Stables (Stephanie S. Clark) 1+1⁄2 miles 2:30.30 $200,000 III [27]
Kentucky Turf Cup Handicap
2004 Sabiango (GER) 6 Brice Blanc Tim Yakteen Monty Roberts 1+1⁄2 miles 2:33.70 $200,000 III [28]
2003 † Rochester 7 Eddie Martin Jr. Jonathan E. Sheppard Augustin Stable 1+1⁄2 miles 2:31.39 $200,000 III [29]
2002 Rochester 6 Eddie Martin Jr. Jonathan E. Sheppard Augustin Stable 1+1⁄2 miles 2:38.28 $300,000 III [30]
2001 Chorwon 8 Jon Court Hal R. Wiggins Phoebe Ann Mueller 1+1⁄2 miles 2:28.68 $300,000 III [31]
2000 Down the Aisle 7 Robby Albarado William I. Mott Charles H. Deters 1+1⁄2 miles 2:27.70 $300,000 Listed [32]
1999 Fahris (IRE) 5 Shane Sellers Kiaran P. McLaughlin Shadwell Stable 1+1⁄2 miles 2:29.60 $300,000 Listed [33]
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 [34]
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 [35]
1994 Lindon Lime 4 Shane Sellers W. Elliott Walden Frank ManseII abt. 1+1⁄2 miles 2:31.40 $300,000 Listed [36]
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 [37]
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 [38]
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

List of American and Canadian Graded races

References
  1. "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. "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. "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. "2021 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  10. "2023 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 2 - (race 12)". Equibase. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  11. "2022 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 2 - (race 10)". Equibase. 10 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  12. "2020 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  13. "2019 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 7 September 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  14. "2018 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 8 September 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  15. "2017 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 9 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  16. "2016 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 10 September 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  17. "2015 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 14 September 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  18. "2014 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 13 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  19. "2013 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  20. "2012 Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  21. "2011 Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  22. "2010 Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 13)". Equibase. 11 September 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  23. "2009 Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 13)". Equibase. 19 September 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  24. "2008 Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 15)". Equibase. 13 September 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  25. "2007 Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 14)". Equibase. 22 September 2007. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  26. "2006 Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 4)". Equibase. 26 September 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  27. "2005 Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 14)". Equibase. 24 September 2005. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  28. "2004 Kentucky Cup Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 14)". Equibase. 25 September 2004. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  29. "2003 Kentucky Cup Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 14)". Equibase. 20 September 2003. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  30. "2002 Kentucky Cup Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 14)". Equibase. 21 September 2002. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  31. "2001 Kentucky Cup Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 14)". Equibase. 23 September 2001. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  32. "2000 Kentucky Cup Turf Handicap Listed - (race 14)". Equibase. 23 September 2000. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  33. "1999 Kentucky Cup Turf Handicap Listed - (race 11)". Equibase. 26 September 1999. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  34. "1998 Kentucky Cup Turf Handicap Listed - (race 11)". Equibase. 19 September 1998. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  35. "1995 Sam Houston Handicap Listed - (race 5)". Equibase. 24 September 1995. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  36. "1994 Sam Houston Handicap Listed - (race 3)". Equibase. 25 September 1994. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  37. "1993 Sam Houston Handicap Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 26 September 1993. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  38. "1992 Sam Houston Handicap Listed - (race 6)". Equibase. 11 October 1992. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
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