Race Recaps Arklow Back on Top in Kentucky Turf Cup September 12, 2020 Credit: Coady Photography Race Recaps Arklow Back on Top in Kentucky Turf Cup September 12, 2020 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article FRANKLIN, KY – Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger, and Peter Coneway’s Arklow put himself back on top in Saturday’s $1 million Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup (G3) at Kentucky Downs. ( Content Continues Below Ad ) Breaking from post 5 under Florent Geroux at 5/1 odds, Arklow (the 2018 race champion) settled into a two-wide stalking position in mid-pack as the field passed under the wire for the first time. Up front, Changi set the initial pace, posting opening fractions of :24.60 and :50.27 before giving way to Eons, who then led through 6 furlongs in 1:14.67 and a mile in 1:39.47. Geroux tipped Arklow out three-wide as the field traversed the sweeping far turn, then encouraged him to challenge for the lead at the top of the stretch. Defending title-holder Zulu Alpha fought in vain, but the 4/5 favorite could not make up the necessary ground in the stretch as Arklow held on to win. Wearing blinkers for the first time in his 29-race career, the Brad Cox trainee completed the 1 1/2-mile event over the soft going in a final time of 2:28.66. Credit: Coady Photography “It was a great trip for him,” Geroux said. “He was closer to the lead than he’s used to. First time with blinkers, at 6 years old, helped him and the ground also helped. From there, I just nursed him around and he waited for my signal down the stretch. He was able to hold off those horses pretty easily.” Red Knight advanced to second just as Arklow took command, then held off Zulu Alpha by a length to save the runner-up effort. Eons faded steadily once headed and crossed fourth, 1 length ahead of Postulation. Hierarchy, He’s No Lemon, Bundibunan, Grand Journey, and Changi completed the order of finish. American Tattoo and Standard Deviation were scratched (the latter announced shortly after the race prior had finished). Celerity, Perfect Tapatino, Surprise Twist, and Tintoretto failed to draw in from the Also Eligibles list. Arklow’s win was his first since last October’s Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (G1) and improved his overall record to 29-7-7-2. The 6-year-old son of Arch, second to Zulu Alpha in last year’s edition, has now earned $2,466,116. “He was pretty sharp coming into this race,” Cox said. “He likes it down here, and when it started raining, it gave us even more confidence. He definitely likes a little juice in the ground and he responded well. He’s tough in the gate … but Florent did a good job getting him and getting him involved. That has a lot to do with this horse, how he runs: his involvement early on in a race.” Arklow returned $13.60 to win, $6.20 to place, and $3 to show. Red Knight brought back $5.80 to place and $3.20 to show, while Zulu Alpha paid $2.10 to show.
Kentucky Derby First Look and NHL/NBA Playoff Update | Dudes Who Bet Sports 189 Aaron and Papa Dude discuss the probable for the 150th… Read More
2024 Kentucky Derby Horse Profiles – How Each Horse Can Win | Blinkers Off 662 The Racing Dudes take a look at the contenders of… Read More
Keeneland Pick 5 | The Magic Mike Show 542 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
NBA & NHL Playoff Previews & Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 188 Aaron and Papa Dude discuss OJ Simpson, UConn’s national championship… Read More
2024 Kentucky Derby Top 10 & Rapid-Fire Picks | Blinkers Off 661 The Racing Dudes reveal their Top 10 Kentucky Derby prospects… Read More
Kentucky Derby 2024 Latest News & Top Contenders | It’s The Final Countdown Aaron discusses the latest 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) news, then… Read More
Fierceness | Get To Know The 2024 Kentucky Derby Contender Jared discusses Fierceness, a contender for the 2024 Kentucky Derby… Read More
Sierra Leone | Get To Know The 2024 Kentucky Derby Contender Jared discusses Sierra Leone, a contender for the 2024 Kentucky… Read More
Catching Freedom | Get To Know The 2024 Kentucky Derby Contender Jared discusses Catching Freedom, a contender for the 2024 Kentucky… Read More
Forever Young | Get To Know The 2024 Kentucky Derby Contender Jared discusses Forever Young, a contender for the 2024 Kentucky… Read More