Racing at Kentucky Downs always provides us with an awesome experience for both viewing and betting purposes. The unique track offers something different and the large, competitive fields that line up give handicappers something to look forward to every year. Last weekend, the biggest of the five-day meet, did not disappoint and produced some of the week’s biggest stars. Let’s take at look at who they were:
1. Arklow
This horse knows how to show up and win big races. Last year, he was able to pull off a nice upset at Churchill Downs in the Grade 2 American Turf Stakes, and he did it again last Saturday with a 6-1 upset victory in the Grade 3 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes. After dropping to mid-pack early on in the race, jockey Florent Geroux made a nice inside move on the turn, and the horse was able to finish well for him to win the race by a 1/2-length over Bigger Picture. The win pushes his earnings to $852,382 and was his fifth from 15 starts. This may not be a Breeders’ Cup-caliber horse, but you have to think that he’ll aim for a prep race in his next outing.
https://youtu.be/OFc9Lgv5R7M
2. World of Trouble
World of Trouble is quickly becoming one of the best turf sprinters in the country after back-to-back dominating wins on the surface. He made his turf debut two races back at Saratoga with a win in the $100,000 Quick Call Stakes and followed that up last Saturday with a dominating win at Belmont Park in the $100,000 Allied Forces Stakes. After sitting off of a very hot early pace, World of Trouble took charge at the top of the lane and ran away from his competition to win by nearly 6 lengths. A win like this will likely point him to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, as his 103 Beyer speed figure is good enough to compete with pretty much anyone in that division.
3. Insta Erma
This filly had been knocking heads with some of the best horses in the division this year, so the move to Kentucky Downs may have actually been a bit of a class drop. Jockey Drayden Van Dyke came in for the Grade 3 KY Downs Ladies Turf Stakes ride and dropped Insta Erma to the back of the pack shortly after the break. He made his move when turning for home, and the horse responded with a nice closing kick to just get up in the last few strides over Valadorna to win the race by a a neck. She made a strong move in this race that shows she has plenty of stamina, and this class level seems to be where she fits best.
https://youtu.be/MysfvJQONSw
