The 2026 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint will be run Saturday, September 5 at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Kentucky. The Grade II race is contested at 6 furlongs on turf for horses aged three and older with a $1,750,000 purse. The winner earns an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland.
| Date | Saturday, September 5, 2026 |
| Track | Kentucky Downs |
| Race | Race 6 |
| Distance | 6 furlongs |
| Surface | Turf |
| Grade | Grade II |
| Purse | $1,750,000 |
| Age | 3-year-olds and up |
| Breeders' Cup | Win & You're In - Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint |
| Post Time | 3:21 PM CT |
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Troubleshooting (KY) | T Gaffalione | G D Foley | TBA |
| 2 | We're in Trouble (KY) | Y Hazlewood | M W McCarthy | TBA |
| 3 | Mondogetsbuckets (KY) | F Geroux | C M Block | TBA |
| 4 | Beach Gold (KY) | K J Asmussen | P L Biancone | TBA |
| 5 | Quereme Pass (ARG) | L Saez | J F D'Angelo | TBA |
| 6 | Possiblemente (KY) | J L Ortiz | J Sharp | TBA |
| 7 | Usually Wrong (KY) | G Franco | R Diodoro | TBA |
| 8 | Okiro (KY) | J Bravo | L Garoffalo | TBA |
| 9 | Golden Afternoon (KY) | J A Torres | N Vaccarezza | TBA |
| 10 | My Boy Prince (ON) | J R Velazquez | M E Casse | TBA |
| 11 | John the Beer Man (KY) | K Carmouche | R Atras | TBA |
| 12 | Durante (KY) | J Castellano | D Jacobson | TBA |
| 13 | Let My People Go (KY) (AE) | A Fresu | M J Maker | TBA |
| 14 | Anmer Hall (KY) (AE) | A Fresu | P Eurton | TBA |
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The Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint is one of the premier turf sprints on the Kentucky Downs calendar. The Grade II event is contested over 6 furlongs for a $1.75 million purse and is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, with the winner earning an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.
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The Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint was inaugurated in 1998 as the Kentucky Cup Turf Dash Stakes. The race became the Turf Sprint Stakes in 2016, earned Grade III status in 2017, and was upgraded to Grade II in 2022.
Bran holds the current 6-furlong Kentucky Downs track record after winning the 2022 Turf Sprint in 1:07.41. Other notable recent winners include Gear Jockey, Cogburn and Bear River.
Gear Jockey won the race twice, capturing the 2021 and 2023 editions for trainer George R. Arnold II.
Bear River won the 2025 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint under jockey James Graham for trainer J. Keith Desormeaux, completing the 6 furlongs in 1:07.71.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Bear River | James Graham | J. Keith Desormeaux | 1:07.71 |
| 2024 | Cogburn | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Steven M. Asmussen | 1:07.68 |
| 2023 | Gear Jockey | Jose Lezcano | George R. Arnold II | 1:10.59 |
| 2022 | Bran (FR) | Vincent Cheminaud | John W. Sadler | 1:07.41 |
| 2021 | Gear Jockey | Jose Lezcano | George R. Arnold II | 1:07.90 |
| 2020 | Imprimis | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Joseph F. Orseno | 1:09.93 |
The 2026 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint is scheduled for Saturday, September 5 at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Kentucky. It will be run as Race 6, with post time set for 3:21 PM CT.
The Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint is contested at 6 furlongs on turf.
The 2026 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint carries a $1,750,000 purse.
The Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint is open to Thoroughbreds three years old and upward.
Yes. The Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series. The nominated winner earns an automatic starting position in the 2026 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland.
The official morning line for the 2026 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint has not yet been posted. The field includes Troubleshooting, We're in Trouble, Mondogetsbuckets, Beach Gold, My Boy Prince, and other accomplished turf sprinters. Check USRacing.com for current race-day odds and updates.
The latest 2026 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint odds are listed in the odds table above and will be updated as race-day prices change.
The Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint is a Grade II Thoroughbred turf race held at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Kentucky. It is contested at 6 furlongs for horses three years old and upward.
The Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint is held at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Kentucky.
You can bet online at BUSR. Create an account, fund your account, and select Kentucky Downs and the Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint from the available racing markets. BUSR also offers a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers.
Bear River won the 2025 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint under jockey James Graham for trainer J. Keith Desormeaux, completing the 6 furlongs in 1:07.71.
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