Calumet Turf Cup Stakes Handicapping Picks
Horse racing gamblers are you looking for 2021 Calumet Turf Cup Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds…plus some predictions? Need some advice on who to take? The 2021 Calumet Turf Cup is set for September 11 at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Kentucky. Here’s a preview of our top contenders.
Calumet Turf Cup Stakes Preview and Prediction
- Race: Calumet Turf Cup Stakes
- Purse: $1 million
- Track: Kentucky Downs
- Date: September 11
- Post Time: 5:44 PM (ET)
- Live: Calumet Turf Cup Stakes Odds: Click Here
2021 Calumet Turf Cup Stakes Handicapping
Without a doubt the most unique thoroughbred racing track in North America, Kentucky Downs only has a turf racing course. It’s often described as a “European-style” course due to the fact it is not an oval, and the track features a slight downhill on the backstretch, and a slight uphill through the long straight to the finish line.
Kentucky Downs only holds a short, six-day race meet each year and this Saturday marks the biggest day of them all, with a handful of graded-stakes races offering almost $3.5 million in total purse money.
Included in those is the (G2) Calumet Turf Cup Stakes. Open to horses age three and up, they’ll be racing 1 1/2 miles. A large field of 12 means great betting value.
Odds listed here are provided by the Kentucky Downs track handicapper.
2021 Calumet Turf Cup Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Arklow Race Odds: 3-1
As the defending race champ and a two-time winner with one runner-up finish, it’s not a surprise to see Arklow installed as the pre-race favourite even if his recent form has been off.
After closing 2020 and opening 2021 with graded-stakes wins, he’s missed the board in his last two. Last out he was seventh – although just two lengths back of the winner in a blanket finish – in the (G2) Del Mar Handicap.
Trainer Brad Cox and jockey Florent Geroux try for their third race win in the past four years.
2021 Calumet Turf Cup Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Channel Cat Race Odds: 9-2
A Grade 1 winner two starts back when he won the 1 3/8 miles Man O’ War Stakes over the excellent Gufo, Channel Cat has struggled a bit since then, running seventh and fourth in his last two.
He was the beaten favourite last out in the (G2) Bowling Green Stakes where he seemed to tire late going 1 3/8 miles on the Saratoga turf, but he’s been off for six weeks since then and should come in fresh. He hasn’t started at Kentucky Downs since 2018, when he scored a stakes win at 1 5/16 of a mile.
Jack Sisterson trains, veteran jockey John Velazquez gets the call to ride.
2021 Calumet Turf Cup Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Imperador Race Odds: 15-1
Argentinian-bred colt Imperador was a Group 1 winner on his native soil, but has yet to find the winner’s circle in five US starts dating back to September 2020.
That being said, he ran very well last time out in the (G1) United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park, rallying late to finish two lengths back of the race favourite, and ahead of four others he’ll be facing here again, including Arklow.
Paulo Lobo is the trainer, jockey Joe Bravo is tapped to ride.
2021 Calumet Turf Cup Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Bluegrass Parkway Race Odds: 20-1
One of the few coming into the race with a last-out win, Bluegrass Parkway hit the wire first in the Kentucky Downs Preview Cup at Ellis Park just over a month ago. In doing so he scored his lifetime highest Equibase speed figure and set the track record for 1 1/4 miles on the turf in the process.
That was his first start at the stakes level, and so he lacks the back class of many others but seems to be at the top of his form.
He’s one of five in the race for trainer Mike Maker. Julien Leparoux is the jock.
Here’s My 2021 Calumet Turf Cup Stakes Free Pick.
Kentucky Downs is a very tricky place to handicap – some horse players wouldn’t take a chance betting it even with other people’s money – simply because the track conditions are so much different than anywhere else in North America. You never know if a horse trying it for the first time will love it or hate it, and the long uphill run to the finish can often completely change the complexion of the race.
For me, that means it’s a place to throw some caution to the wind and try to hit a long shot. Arklow’s past success in this race is intimidating and at 3-1 you’re getting very good value. But I’m going to play Imperador for the win and place at long odds. His last effort may be the best of this bunch, and I think the distance and track plays to his favour.
Full Field: Calumet Turf Cup Odds
(By post position)
- #1 – Imperador 15-1
- #2 – Crossfirehurricane 20-1
- #3 – Channel Cat 9-2
- #4 – Tide Of The Sea 6-1
- #5 – Arklow 3-1
- #6 – Bluegrass Parkway 20-1
- #7 – Fantasioso 12-1
- #8 – Ajourneytofreedom 10-1
- #9 – Glynn County 15-1
- #10 – Epic Bromance 15-1
- #11 – Zulu Alpha 6-1
- #12 – Breakpoint 20-1
What do you think of our 2021 Calumet Turf Cup Stakes Race Odds & Predictions? Weigh in below with a comment. We welcome your feedback.
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