Red Knight seeks a double in Kentucky Turf Cup

By NY Hot List Staff | September 7, 2023

As New York racing takes a week off after the wild 40-day meet at Saratoga, rich graded stakes action can be found at Kentucky Downs, where a $1.7 million turf stakes heads the card. The Grade 2 Kentucky Turf Cup attracted a field of 16, with four also-eligibles, to contest the mile and a half event. The field includes last year’s winner, Red Knight, and with such a large field is bound to provide a surprise or two as a highly competitive field crosses the finish line.

The Kentucky Turf Cup is scheduled as the last race from a 12 race card with post-time set for 6:05 p.m. EDT on Saturday.

Here’s the Hot List picks for the Kentucky Turf Cup:

(2) Red Knight was third in the United Nations (G1) at Monmouth Park last time and likes this course and merits top billing here. The 9-year-old gelding has 12 career victories and earnings of more than $1.8 million and is one of three runners from the barn of trainer Mike Maker. (3) Verstappen is also from Maker and will be dangerous on his best try. Last time out he was second in the Bowling Green (G2) at Saratoga and has shown a liking for the unique layout at Kentucky Downs. (4) Santin was second in the Arlington Million (G1) at Colonial Downs after pressing the pace and then taking the lead at the top of the stretch and belongs in the exotics. (11) Therapist is the third Maker runner and has blossomed since he was claimed for $50,000 in January and since then he won three times including the United Nations. He will be a major factor here.

The rest of the NY Hot List picks for Kentucky Downs are available free of charge at this website.