Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Handicapping Picks
Horse racing gamblers are you looking for 2023 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds…plus some predictions? Need some advice on who to take? The 2023 Kentucky Turf Cup is set for September 9 at Kentucky Downs race track in Franklin, Kentucky. Here’s a preview of our top contenders.
Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Preview
- Race: Kentucky Turf Cup
- Purse: $1.7 million
- Track: kentucky Downs
- Date: September 9
- Post Time: 7:05 PM (ET)
- Live: Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Odds: Click Here
2023 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Racebooks / Betting Apps We Like!
Before we can give you our expert 2023 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes free pick, we have to break down the entries! In fact, we’d love to hear from you after you’ve given this post a read to see if you see an angle that we don’t!
2023 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Handicapping
Despite only having seven days of racing every year, the summer meet at Kentucky Downs is regarded as one of the most unique in the United States. This is primarily because the races are held on the only “European-style” turf course in the US. Rather than the typical oval, the track features a tight bend at one end and a huge, sweeping curve at the other. In addition, the course includes a number small hills and dips and an upward run to the finish line.
On Saturday the track will play host to six graded-stakes races, including the (G2) Kentucky Turf Cup. Open to horses age three and older, the race is run at a distance of 1 1/2 miles and has drawn a full field of 12 entries.
Odds listed here are provided by the Kentucky Downs track oddsmaker.
2023 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Therapist Race Odds: 7-2
New York-bred Therapist comes into this off a win in the (G1) United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park, where he rallied late to hit the wire first by 1 1/2 lengths over the post-time favourite.
That marked his third win in six starts this year, a run that includes a victory in the (G2) Pan-American Stakes at Gulfstream Park. It is notable that after 42 career starts, Saturday will be just his second race on the Kentucky Downs turf.
He’s trained by Michael Maker, Javier Castellano will get the call to ride.
2023 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Red Knight Race Odds: 4-1
The defending race champ, Red Knight will be making his third consecutive start in the Kentucky Turf Cup as he was also the runner-up in the 2021 race.
A nine-year-old veteran with 36 lifetime starts, he’s won exactly one-third of those and finished in the money 23 times so far. Of particular note is that he has been very successful at the 1 1/2 miles distance, with five wins and four second-place runs in 14 starts.
He’s trained by Michael Maker and jockey Tyler Gaffalione gets the call once again to ride.
Verstappen Race Odds: 9-2
A relative youngster in this field at the age of four, Verstappen has made six starts 2023 and has hit the board in five of those with a pair of wins.
Back in April he made his first foray into stakes racing a winning one when he took the (G2) Elkhorn going 1 1/2 miles at Keeneland, prevailing by a head over Red Knight. Last out he ran well to grab second in the (G2) Bowling Green Stakes at a Saratoga. He was supposed to start in the (G1) Man O’ War Stakes at Saratoga two weeks ago, but was scratched by the trainer and pointed to this race instead.
He’s one of two in the race for trainer Brenden Walsh. Regular rider Declan Cannon remains onboard.
Me and Mr.C Race Odds: 10-1
While it can be argued he’s been facing somewhat easier company than others in here, you have to respect the record of Me and Mr. C who has hit the board in all six 2023 starts and comes into this having won three straight.
Last out he rallied from well back to win the Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup at Ellis Park going 1 1/4 miles, while obtaining a lifetime best Equibase speed figure in the process.
He’s another Michael Maker trainee. Jockey Gerardo Corrales will be in the saddle.
Here’s My 2023 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Free Pick.
Given the unique configuration of the Kentucky Downs track, you always have to give a second look to horses that have done well previously on the surface, as well as those that have shown an ability to handle the marathon distance. Based on those factors, Red Knight would have the edge to claim his second win in the race.
That being said, Verstappen is still a young horse with lots of upside that seems to be trending in the right direction, and I’m going to take him for the mild upset. While he has yet to win at Kentucky Downs, he has raced there twice already and hit the board both times, and he is 1-for-1 at the distance.
Full Field: 2023 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Odds
By post position
- #1 – Foreign Relations 12-1
- #2 – Red Knight 4-1
- #3 – Verstappen 9-2
- #4 – Santin 5-1
- #5 – Get Smokin 15-1
- #6 – Me and Mr. C 12-1
- #7 – Kitoden 12-1
- #8 – Never Explain 8-1
- #9 – Nautilus 30-1
- #10 – Another Mystery 30-1
- #11 – Therapist 7-2
- #12 – Spooky Channel 20-1
Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes Tweet of the Day
Anglophile (10-1) wins the $1 million Grade 3 Dueling Grounds Derby for @BLynchRacing and @decky_cann. 6-9-10-8 pic.twitter.com/ewpXQ9TchG
— Kentucky Downs (@KYDownsRacing) September 3, 2023
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