Saturday's race card featured the $750,000 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes (G3T). While many believed that last year's winner OSCAR NOMINATED would be back to take the stakes a second year in a row and extend his unbeaten record for the Ramsey's, that just wasn't the case in race 10 on Saturday at Kentucky Downs. Instead it was an upset with ARKLOW at 6-1 coming from the back of the pack, saving ground and taking the win over BIGGER PICTURE in 2:30.56 for the 1 1/2 mile race. SOGLIO came in third, with the favorite coming in fifth. While it was an upset for many, our tip sheet picked the 8-4 exacta and paid $101. Here is the replay in case you missed it:
Kentucky Downs also hosted the $500,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Turf Sprint. The 5 1/2 furlong race turned out to be an unforgettable event with both ambulances on the course. As the horse came down the stretch SOVEREIGN IMPACT appeared to move off the rail forcing CHATTEL out, where he clipped heels with another horse. CHATTEL, the son of GIANT OAK, went down on course and had to be euthanized due to a fractured right shoulder. It was a very sad outcome and we send our condolences to the connections of CHATTEL. The stakes winning colt was the 5-2 second choice in the field. Jockey Kendrick Carmouche was unseated and transported to the TriStar Skyline Medical Center. Jockey Joe Rocco said that Carmouche was complaining of severe leg pain. Carmouche has since told reporters that "They're going to put a screw in it and I'm going to be able to put pressure on the leg (soon after). They're saying seven to eight weeks before I'm back riding."
We're happy that the injury was not more serious and wish jockey Carmouche a speedy recovery. Watch the heart-breaking replay here:
The fillyMOONLIGHT ROMANCE, the 8-5 favorite, won the sprint three lengths ahead of the competition. LIFE MISSION was second with BLAME THE FROG getting third after SOVEREIGN IMPACT was disqualified for the interference with CHATTEL. The win was a big one for MOONLIGHT ROMANCE, as she is now Breeders' Cup bound.
In the 6 1/2 furlong $500,000 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint Stakes (G3T), the MUNNINGS gelding PROFORMA stepped up and won his first graded stakes. Under jockey Joe Bravo, the gelding surged past the competition to take the stakes race by a head over WHITE FLAG, setting a course record in 1:15.72. VICI followed up with third place. Here's the replay:
Finally it was the $450,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint (G3T) which featured yet another course record as RUBY NOTION took her second straight stakes win over LULL and BRIELLE'S APPEAL in a three-way photo finish. The mare set the course record at 1:15.80 covering 6 1/2 furlongs. Watch the replay:
Sunday's race card at Kentucky Downs was cancelled due to heavy rains. Sunday's races have been rescheduled for Wednesday, September 12th with the closing card for Kentucky Downs on Thursday.
Belmont Park Royal Delta Stakes
Meanwhile in New York, Belmont Park hosted the inaugural running of the $100,000 Royal Delta Stakes for fillies and mares over a sloppy 1 1/16 miles.
COME DANCING took the win under jockey John R. Velazquez in 1:44.78, 6 1/4 lengths over favorite BERNED and NO NEED TO APPEAL. The Royal Delta was COME DANCING'S first stakes win in three attempts. The 4 year old MALIBU MOON filly set the early fractions and covered the distance with ease. Here's the replay:
Have a great week!
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