Expert Pick of the Week: 2023 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes

Sep 06, 2023 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

An
overflow field of 16 will travel 1 1/2 miles on the Kentucky Downs lawn in
Saturday’s lucrative $1.7 million Kentucky Turf Cup S. (G2). The finale on a
major day of racing attracted a well-matched field in what seems like an
incredibly challenging handicapping puzzle.

Defending
champ
Red Knight has been very good
when properly placed since joining the barn of Mike Maker to commence 2022.
By Pure Prize, the nine-year-old earned a victory in the Man o’ War S. (G1) in
his third start of this campaign, and has run pretty well in defeat in a pair of
Grade 1 assignments since that signature score, as well. The chestnut comes in
fresh for this one after firing a bullet morning move in his latest drill in
advance of Saturday, and his obvious affinity for this unique course is certainly
a good thing, too.

Red
Knight has been first or second in nine of his 14 lifetime tries at the
12-furlong distance, and the gelding runs better when coming off of a layoff,
too. The stout late runner will save ground early prior to unleashing his fine
late kick with Tyler Gaffalione in the stirrups.

Multiple
stakes winner
Kitodan lit up the
tote board while garnering a pair of black-type tallies last season, led by a
dominant victory in the Dueling Grounds Derby (G3) here in his three-year-old
finale. The Point of Entry colt hasn’t been as sharp this campaign, but he
stretches out in distance, which is a good thing, and the Kentucky-bred might
also peak returning to this venue while making his third start of 2023. Irad
Ortiz Jr. will guide the bay and have him doing his best work in the final furlong
at a square price.

Shug
McGaughey’s
Never Explain stayed on
well to be fourth in the Arlington Million (G1) in his latest endeavor and
brings consistently good form for his Kentucky Downs debut. The five-year-old
son of Street Sense rallied well into a slow pace to be third in the Bowling
Green (G2) at Saratoga over 1 3/8 miles two back, and I believe that he will
thrive in the 1 1/2-mile contest on Saturday. Joel Rosario will be in the silks
aboard the Kentucky-bred.

Expert Pick

An
exacta with
#2 Red Knight on top of #7 Kitodan and #8 Never Explain in the 2023 Kentucky Turf Cup is the Best Bet of
the Week.