The 2026 Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational Stakes will be run Saturday, September 5 at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Kentucky. The Grade II race is contested at 1½ miles on turf for horses aged three and older with a $2,000,000 purse. The winner earns an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland.
| Date | Saturday, September 5, 2026 |
| Track | Kentucky Downs |
| Race | Race 7 |
| Distance | 1½ miles |
| Surface | Turf |
| Grade | Grade II |
| Purse | $2,000,000 |
| Age | 3-year-olds and up |
| Breeders' Cup | Win & You're In - Breeders' Cup Turf |
| Post Time | 3:56 PM CT |
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tiffany (IRE) | L Morris | S Prescott | TBA |
| 2 | Desvio (KY) | J R Velazquez | M F Meyers | TBA |
| 3 | Dresden Row (KY) | T Gaffalione | T A Pletcher | TBA |
| 4 | Eff Thirty Five (PA) | A Fresu | M J Maker | TBA |
| 5 | Layabout (KY) | K J Asmussen | P L Biancone | TBA |
| 6 | Ethical Diamond (IRE) | R L Moore | W P Mullins | TBA |
| 7 | Burnham Square (KY) | B J Hernandez, Jr. | I R Wilkes | TBA |
| 8 | Ole Crazy Bone (KY) | J L Ortiz | M J Maker | TBA |
| 9 | Echo Lane (FL) | L Saez | R G Crichton | TBA |
| 10 | Fort George (GB) | J P Spencer | E Walker | TBA |
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The Kentucky Turf Cup is one of the premier long-distance turf races on the Kentucky Downs calendar. The Grade II event is contested over 1½ miles for a $2 million purse and is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, with the winner earning an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf.
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The Kentucky Turf Cup was inaugurated in 1990 and has developed into one of the signature races at Kentucky Downs. The race is currently contested at 1½ miles on turf and holds Grade II status.
Trainer Michael J. Maker has been particularly successful in the Kentucky Turf Cup, adding a sixth victory when Ole Crazy Bone won the 2025 edition.
Recent winners include Arklow in 2020, Imperador in 2021, Red Knight in 2022, Get Smokin in 2023, Grand Sonata in 2024, and Ole Crazy Bone in 2025.
Ole Crazy Bone set a Kentucky Downs track record when he won the 2025 Kentucky Turf Cup in 2:24.72, eclipsing the previous mark of 2:24.93 set by Grand Sonata in 2024.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Ole Crazy Bone | Flavien Prat | Michael J. Maker | 2:24.72 |
| 2024 | Grand Sonata | Tyler Gaffalione | Todd A. Pletcher | 2:24.93 |
| 2023 | Get Smokin | Fernando De La Cruz | Mark E. Casse | 2:28.66 |
| 2022 | Red Knight | Gerardo Corrales | Michael J. Maker | 2:26.96 |
| 2021 | Imperador (ARG) | Joseph Talamo | Paulo Lobo | 2:25.10 |
| 2020 | Arklow | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | 2:28.66 |
The 2026 Kentucky Turf Cup is scheduled for Saturday, September 5, at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Kentucky. It will be run as Race 7, with post time set for 3:56 PM CT.
The Kentucky Turf Cup is contested at 1½ miles on turf at Kentucky Downs.
The 2026 Kentucky Turf Cup carries a $2,000,000 purse.
The Kentucky Turf Cup is an invitational race for Thoroughbreds three years old and upward.
Yes. The Kentucky Turf Cup is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series. The nominated winner earns an automatic starting position in the 2026 Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland.
The official morning-line favorite for the 2026 Kentucky Turf Cup has not yet been posted. The field includes Ethical Diamond, Burnham Square, Ole Crazy Bone, Tiffany, and other accomplished turf runners. Check USRacing.com for current race-day odds and updates.
The latest 2026 Kentucky Turf Cup odds are listed in the odds table above and will be updated as race-day prices change.
The Kentucky Turf Cup is a Grade II Thoroughbred turf race held at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Kentucky. It is contested at 1½ miles for horses three years old and upward.
The Kentucky Turf Cup 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 Turf Cup from the available racing markets. BUSR also offers a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers.
Ole Crazy Bone won the 2025 Kentucky Turf Cup under jockey Flavien Prat for trainer Michael J. Maker, completing the 1½ miles in 2:24.72.
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