It was a good day at Kentucky Downs for Hall of Fame trainers Todd Pletcher and Steve Asmussen.
Cogburn went wire to wire for a 3 ¼-length victory in the $2 million Ainsworth Turf Sprint (G2) on Saturday, giving Asmussen the likely favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 2.
Grand Sonata. Coady Photo.
Three more Kentucky Downs winners will be headed to the Breeders’ Cup
A race earlier, Pletcher-trained Grand Sonata – sent off at 15-1 — edged Highway Robber by a half-length in the $2 million Kentucky Turf Cup (G2).
Both races were part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In’’ series with the winners earning an all fees-paid, automatic berth in a corresponding Breeders’ Cup race.
Cogburn had already earned a spot in the Breeders’ Cup with his win in the Jaipur Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on June 8. The 5-year-old Grand Sonata ended an 0-for-7 losing streak with a surprise victory over the likes of even-money favorite Intergration (fourth) and Get Smokin (seventh).
The races were part of a huge day at Kentucky Downs, which featured six $2 million stakes races.
Ainsworth Turf Sprint: Cogburn wins with ease
Cogburn made it three in a row with his win on Saturday. Khadeem was second, followed by Axthelm, Nobals, Charcoal, One Timer, Gear Jockey, Coppola, Noble Reflection, Mo Stash, Five o’Somewhere, and Witty.
Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., the 5-year-old Cogburn covered 6 furlongs in 1:07.68 over a firm course.
“I didn’t do much, to be honest, just held it together and he took me all the way,” Ortiz said. “He’s been amazing this year since Steve brought him back after a layoff. He’s grown up mentally and physically. He’s doing awesome.”
Cogburn ($4.20) won for the ninth time in 15 career starts and boosted his earnings to $2,414,330.
Kentucky Turf Cup: Pletcher’s Grand Sonata prevails at 15-1
Grand Sonata ($32.78) returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in more than a year with an upset that earned him a spot in the BC Turf (G1).
“He is a horse that has knocked on the door on numerous occasions,” Pletcher said of the son of Medaglia d’Oro after his fifth win in 23 starts. He’s 4-for-14 on grass.
In his previous race, Grand Sonata ran fifth in the Sword Dancer (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 24.
Ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Grand Sonata stayed off the early pace set by Get Smokin, last year’s Turf winner. The winner moved ahead in the stretch and held off Highway Robber.
Winning time for the 1 ½ miles was a track record 2:24.93.
“He got a beautiful trip today,” Pletcher said. “He and Tyler have always gotten along really well, and it was great for him to have that breakthrough win.”
In the four other $2 million races at Kentucky Downs:
Neecie Marie ($10.02) won the Ladies Marathon (G3), Simply in Front captured the Music City Stakes (G2), Goliad (21.14) won the Mint Million Stakes (G3), and Howard Wolowitz ($8.12) was victorious in the Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G1).
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