Mercante, No Longer a Cinderella, Takes on Kentucky Turf Cup

Grand Sonata primed for Turf Cup but must deal with Fort Washington

Grand Sonata's participation in the $2 million Turf Cup last year at Kentucky Downs came as something of an afterthought. The horse had run well over the course, so there was that, and when he barely ran at all in the Sword Dancer, connections decided to roll the dice and run back on two weeks' rest. Grand Sonata won at 15-1. This year, Todd Pletcher has pointed him to the Turf Cup.

Mercante, no longer a Cinderella, takes on Kentucky Turf Cup

Carl Pollard’s 5-year-old gelding Mercante, one of the favorites in Saturday’s Grade 2 Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational at Kentucky Downs, transitioned on Kentucky Derby day from Cinderella story to legitimate contender every time he runs. That’s when Mercante nearly pulled off an upset in the $1 million Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs, leading in the final furlong before finishing second by three-quarters of a length to favored Spirit of St …

Mercante Gets Slight Edge in Competitive Kentucky Turf Cup

Kentucky Downs takes center stage on Saturday with a spectacular card highlighted by the $2.5 million KTDF Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational Stakes. Read More...