Renowned Equestrian Sets Sights on Victory in the Kentucky Turf Cup’s High-Stakes Pursuit Since 2015 Purse Increase

The main Kentucky Derby race is scheduled to begin on Saturday, promising significant revenue for equestrians. Held at the iconic Churchill Downs, the race serves as an important milestone in the Kentucky Turf Cup. The event for two-year-old fillies will continue the tradition of earning a spot in the Breeders’ Cup. A stunning lineup of 16 horse-rider duos has been registered for the FanDuel Kentucky Turf Cup, led by four Grade 1 and three Grade 2 winners. The Grade 2 stakes will cover over 1 ½ miles with twelve horses, while four remain on the “also-eligible” list.

Joining the dirt performers on the western tracks are seasoned trainers who have entered their horses in this race. In attendance, there will be three millionaire horses, among others, with trainers who have been in the business for over a decade. Everything is set, with the winner adding another million to their pocket. Are you betting on a favorite?

Equestrian aims to win big bucks in the Kentucky Derby

Due to its legacy and growth over the decades, the Kentucky Turf Cup became a serious money-making event in 2015 with a $600,000 payout. The event shifted from being a grade III to a grade II event with this year’s total value being $1,700,000. Following the $1.7M Grade 2 FanDuel Kentucky Turf Cup, four Grade 2 stakes and two Grade 3s are yet to go down. The racing schedule on September 9th makes a compelling argument for being Kentucky Downs’ finest card ever with an unprecedented six graded stakes worth at least $1 million.

The winningest Derby trainer, Mike Maker, has entered his top three horses among other potential challengers in an effort to attract the best equestrians to the racetrack, given the enormous value. Other potential players in the business include Paulo Lobo, the 2021 winner with a 19% win rate this year, along with the 2014 event winner, Chris M. Block, returning with a 20% win rate. The $4 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita will get underway following the Turf Cup’s overflowing 16 entries win.

Since some of Maker’s horses are New York-bred, they are ineligible for the $400,000 Cup purse, which is exclusively awarded to Kentucky-bred horses, reported the DRF. The Turf Cup, an event in the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series, offers an additional $1.3 million in prize money as a direct entry into the Breeders’ Cup Turf. The Grade 2 event is the 12th race that starts at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow. A quick glance at the lineup will intensify the anticipation for the upcoming track race.

Equestrian’s triumphant trio at the Kentucky Derby track

Having taken home the Kentucky Derby trophies five times in the last ten years, Maker has entered 8-year-old Therapist and Me and Mr. C, in addition to 9-year-old Red Knight returning for the second season. Therapist entered the Turf Cup after his same-distance victory in the United Nations Stakes on July 22 at Monmouth Park, which was the best performance of his career. In the Man o’ War Stakes earlier this year, Knight won the Grade 1 race. Having kicked off a 1 3/8-mile race earlier, Saturday’s race distance might be a better match for the seasoned fellow.

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Me and Mr. C won the Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup last month, earning a career-best 109 Equibase Speed Figure. Notably, having won the same race last year, Knight stands a good chance of becoming the third horse to win in consecutive years. Knight leads the field in earnings with $1.8 million, followed by Therapist ($528,420) and Me and Mr. C ($244,889). Will the 1/4 lineup, which is already brilliantly marked and focused on adding a few more dollars for their prominent trainer, turn out to be great bets?

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