Five Stakes Bring Excitement on Kentucky Downs Preview Day at Ellis Park

HENDERSON, KY – Five grass stakes led the way on Sunday’s Kentucky Downs Preview Day at Ellis Park. The course condition was listed as soft.

Each winner received an automatic entry into the respective stakes at the Kentucky Downs 2020 meet, scheduled to be held September 7-16.

$100,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Kentucky Turf Cup

Factor This won the 10-furlong event to earn a fees-paid berth into the $1 million Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup (G3) on September 12.

This was his fourth straight victory and improved his record to 30-11-3-4 with $902,780 earned. The winning connections are owner Gaining Ground Racing, trainer Brad Cox, and jockey Shaun Bridgmohan.

Factor This returned $3.80 to win, $3 to place, and $2.40 to show. Hierarchy brought back $5.40 to place and $4 to show, while Split the Wickets paid $6.80 to show.

$100,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Turf

English Affair won the 8-furlong event to earn a fees-paid berth into the $500,000 Three Chimneys Ladies Turf (G3) on September 7.

This was her first time hitting the board since she won the 2018 Cardinal Handicap (G3) and improved her overall record to 17-4-5-1 with $265,179. The Calumet Farm homebred is trained by Rusty Arnold and had Rafael Bejarano piloting her to victory.

English Affair returned $31.80 to win, $11.60 to place, and $9.20 to show. She’sonthewarpath brought back $4.60 to place and $3.40 to show, while Frond paid $15.60 to show.

$100,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Sprint

Into Mystic won the 5 1/2-furlong event to earn a fees-paid berth into the $500,000 Spendthrift Farm Ladies Sprint (G3) on September 7.

This was her first success at the stakes level and improved her overall record to 11-4-1-2 with $188,023. Joe Talamo rode and Brendan Walsh trains for co-owners George Colemand and Brad King.

Into Mystic returned $5.40 to win, $3.20 to place, and $2.60 to show. Ambassador Luna brought back $6.20 to place and $3.80 to show, while Dance Rhythms paid $4.60 to show.

$100,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Tourist Mile

Spectacular Gem won the 8-furlong event to earn a fees-paid berth into the $750,000 Tourist Mile on August 31.

This was his third stakes score and improved his overall record to 16-6-1-3 with $307,281 earned for owner Candie Baker. James Baker trains and James Graham was in the irons.

Spectacular Gem returned $5.80 to win, $4 to place, and $3 to show. Mr. Misunderstood brought back $5.20 to place and $3.60 to show, while Hembree paid $3.60 to show.

$100,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Sprint

Carotari won the 5 1/2-furlong event to earn a fees-paid berth into the $700,000 Runhappy Turf Sprint (G3) on September 12, a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” for the Turf Sprint (G1).

This was his second stakes victory and improved his overall record to 15-5-4-2 with $311,588 earned. The winning connections are owner William Branch, trainer Brian Lynch, and jockey Julien Leparoux.

Carotari returned $8.80 to win, $4 to place, and $3.40 to show. Tiger Blood brought back $4.40 to place and $3.20 to show, while High Crime paid $4.40 to show.