Cogburn, North America’s prime grass sprinter, avenged a 2023 defeat over the distinctive Kentucky Downs turf course in what was his solely loss ever on grass by dominating the $1,797,200 Grade 2 Ainsworth Turf Dash Stakes on Sept. 7.
In contrast to on this identical race final yr at Kentucky Downs when he raced simply off the early tempo and ended up ending a detailed fifth, this time Cogburn took cost instantly within the six-furlong contest and was all the time in management underneath jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Throwing down splits of :21.82, :44.14, and :55.48, Cogburn pulled away to attain by 3 1/4 lengths underneath solely delicate stress from Ortiz. The Steve Asmussen trainee hit the wire with a closing time of 1:07.68.
“I did not do a lot, to be trustworthy. He took me all the way in which,” Ortiz stated.
The British-trained Khaadem, winner of Royal Ascot’s Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes in 2023-24, rallied to seize second. It was a size farther again to third-place finisher Axthelm who nipped 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf Dash winner Nobals by a nostril for the present.
Saturday’s race was a “win and also you’re in” a part of the Breeders’ Cup Problem Collection, providing its winner an expense-paid computerized berth into the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Turf Dash at Del Mar. Cogburn had already punched his ticket into the Turf Dash by successful one other Breeders’ Cup Problem race, the Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes offered by Resolute Racing on June 8 at Saratoga Race Course. That day he blitzed 5 1/2 furlongs in a North American file time of :59.80.
A month after the Jaipur, WinStar Farm introduced it had partnered with his racing house owners in buying the breeding rights to the 5-year-old son of Not This Time. Cogburn will stand at WinStar Farm upon his retirement from racing.
“What an incredible horse Cogburn is,” Asmussen stated. “I am so proud. For him to validate the shape that he has proven all yr lengthy in his turf sprints may be very particular.”
Cogburn missed an opportunity to pursue the Breeders’ Cup Turf Dash final yr when he was sidelined following his loss at Kentucky Downs. He returned to motion this Could. Earlier than his success on turf, Cogburn was a three-time winner in eight grime begins. He has gained 9 of 15 races total.
It is not usually {that a} gameplan set out within the paddock goes precisely in accordance with plan, nevertheless it did for Grand Sonata in his victory within the $1,995,000 million Grade 2 FanDuel TV Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 7.
“This horse has had so many dangerous journeys,” stated coach Todd Pletcher‘s assistant Amelia Inexperienced. “Immediately the rail appeared fairly golden. That was the plan within the paddock.”
Breaking from the far outdoors within the subject of 9, jockey Tyler Gaffalione settled the 5-year-old son of Medaglia d’Oro off the tempo and towards the rail within the early phases of the 1 1/2-mile contest.
“I used to be in a position to tuck in,” Gaffalione stated. “Every little thing simply labored out.”
Grand Sonata acquired a great tempo set-up behind the Turf Cup’s defending winner, Get Smokin, who set fractions of :23.65, :47.53, 1:11.21, and 1:34.97 earlier than tiring to seventh.
Ready for Gaffalione’s command, Grand Sonata was prepared to reply when the pair discovered daylight turning for house.
“After we wanted the spot to open on the quarter pole, it did,” Gaffalione stated. “My horse did not hesitate and he did the job properly, I am very pleased with him.”
Punching via the opening, Grand Sonata asserted himself to take cost within the lengthy Kentucky Downs stretch and prevailed by a half a size. The ultimate time of two:24.93 was a monitor file. He paid $32.78 to win.
Freeway Robber, final early, made a run however settled for second. Tawny Port was third. Favored Integration completed fourth. Chief Little Rock was scratched within the put up parade.
A part of the Breeders’ Cup Problem Collection, Grand Sonata earned a fees-paid “Win and You are In” berth to the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 2.
The connections could not decide to the Breeders’ Cup path but, saying the choice could be between Pletcher and proprietor Whisper Hill Farm. — Sean Collins
