2026 AGS Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational S.

about this race

Race Info
History

First run in 1990 as the Sam Houston Stakes when Kentucky Downs was called Dueling Grounds, the Kentucky Cup Turf is held at 1 ½ miles on turf at the Franklin, Ky. track. Rochester was the first horse who to win the race twice. Da Big Hoss replicated the feat in 2015 and 2016 and then Arklow won the race in non-consecutive years in 2018 and 2020.

In 2023, the purse rose to $1.7 million.

First run in 1990 as the Sam Houston Stakes when Kentucky Downs was called Dueling Grounds, the Kentucky Cup Turf is held at 1 ½ miles on turf at the Franklin, Ky. track. Rochester was the first horse who to win the race twice. Da Big Hoss replicated the feat in 2015 and 2016 and then Arklow won the race in non-consecutive years in 2018 and 2020.

In 2023, the purse rose to $1.7 million.

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Fastest Time (since 1976): 2:24:72
Greatest Winning Margin (since 1976): 6 3/4 lengths

Date	Past Winner	Trainer	Jockey	Owner
09/04/2026	Tiffany (IRE) Trainer / Sir Mark Prescott Jockey / Luke Morris Owner / Elite Racing 004	Sir Mark Prescott	Luke Morris	Elite Racing 004
09/05/2025	Ole Crazy Bone Trainer / Michael J. Maker Jockey / Flavien Prat Owner / Flying P Stable	Michael J. Maker	Flavien Prat	Flying P Stable
09/06/2024	Grand Sonata Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / Tyler Gaffalione Owner / Whisper Hill Farm, LLC	Todd A. Pletcher	Tyler Gaffalione	Whisper Hill Farm, LLC
09/08/2023	Get Smokin Trainer / Mark E. Casse Jockey / Fernando De La Cruz Owner / Ironhorse Racing Stable LLC, BlackRidge Stables LLC, T-N-T Equine Holdings, LLC and Saratoga Seven Racing Partners, LLC	Mark E. Casse	Fernando De La Cruz	Ironhorse Racing Stable LLC, BlackRidge Stables LLC, T-N-T Equine Holdings, LLC and Saratoga Seven Racing Partners, LLC
09/09/2022	Red Knight Trainer / Michael J. Maker Jockey / Gerardo Corrales Owner / Trinity Farm	Michael J. Maker	Gerardo Corrales	Trinity Farm
09/10/2021	Imperador (ARG) Trainer / Paulo H. Lobo Jockey / Joseph Talamo Owner / Bonne Chance Farm, LLC and Stud R D I, LLC.	Paulo H. Lobo	Joseph Talamo	Bonne Chance Farm, LLC and Stud R D I, LLC.
09/11/2020	Arklow Trainer / Brad H. Cox Jockey / Florent Geroux Owner / Donegal Racing, Bulger, Joseph and Coneway, Peter	Brad H. Cox	Florent Geroux	Donegal Racing, Bulger, Joseph and Coneway, Peter
09/06/2019	Zulu Alpha Trainer / Michael J. Maker Jockey / Jose L. Ortiz Owner / Michael M. Hui	Michael J. Maker	Jose L. Ortiz	Michael M. Hui
09/07/2018	Arklow Trainer / Brad H. Cox Jockey / Florent Geroux Owner / Donegal Racing, Bulger, Joseph and Coneway, Peter	Brad H. Cox	Florent Geroux	Donegal Racing, Bulger, Joseph and Coneway, Peter
09/08/2017	Oscar Nominated Trainer / Michael J. Maker Jockey / Julien R. Leparoux Owner / Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K.	Michael J. Maker	Julien R. Leparoux	Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K.
09/09/2016	Da Big Hoss Trainer / Michael J. Maker Jockey / Florent Geroux Owner / Skychai Racing LLC	Michael J. Maker	Florent Geroux	Skychai Racing LLC
09/13/2015	Da Big Hoss Trainer / Michael J. Maker Jockey / Joseph Rocco, Jr. Owner / Skychai Racing LLC	Michael J. Maker	Joseph Rocco, Jr.	Skychai Racing LLC
09/12/2014	Suntracer Trainer / Chris M. Block Jockey / Florent Geroux Owner / Team Block	Chris M. Block	Florent Geroux	Team Block
09/13/2013	Temeraine Trainer / Thomas F. Proctor Jockey / Gary L. Stevens Owner / Niall Racing	Thomas F. Proctor	Gary L. Stevens	Niall Racing
09/14/2012	Ioya Bigtime Trainer / Chris M. Block Jockey / Jeffrey Sanchez Owner / Team Block	Chris M. Block	Jeffrey Sanchez	Team Block
09/09/2011	Rahystrada Trainer / Byron G. Hughes Jockey / Greta Kuntzweiler Owner / Robert E. Courtney, Jr.	Byron G. Hughes	Greta Kuntzweiler	Robert E. Courtney, Jr.
09/10/2010	Rezif Trainer / Matthew Jacobson Jockey / Greta Kuntzweiler Owner / Sexton, Donald, Jacobson, Matthew and Baughman, Thomas	Matthew Jacobson	Greta Kuntzweiler	Sexton, Donald, Jacobson, Matthew and Baughman, Thomas
09/18/2009	Cloudy's Knight Trainer / Jonathan E. Sheppard Jockey / Rosemary B. Homeister, Jr. Owner / S J Stables LLC	Jonathan E. Sheppard	Rosemary B. Homeister, Jr.	S J Stables LLC
09/12/2008	Rumor Has It Trainer / David H. Hinsley Jockey / Eduardo E. Perez Owner / Glenn, James F. and Patterson, William S.	David H. Hinsley	Eduardo E. Perez	Glenn, James F. and Patterson, William S.
09/21/2007	General Jumbo (GB) Trainer / H. Graham Motion Jockey / Jeremy Rose Owner / Thomas F. Conway	H. Graham Motion	Jeremy Rose	Thomas F. Conway
09/25/2006	Embossed (IRE) Trainer / Niall M. O'Callaghan Jockey / Larry Melancon Owner / Gary A. Tanaka	Niall M. O'Callaghan	Larry Melancon	Gary A. Tanaka
09/23/2005	Silverfoot Trainer / Dallas Stewart Jockey / Rafael Bejarano Owner / Chrysalis Stables LLC	Dallas Stewart	Rafael Bejarano	Chrysalis Stables LLC
09/24/2004	Sabiango (GER) Trainer / Tim Yakteen Jockey / Brice Blanc Owner / Monty Roberts	Tim Yakteen	Brice Blanc	Monty Roberts
09/19/2003	Rochester Trainer / Jonathan E. Sheppard Jockey / Eddie Martin, Jr. Owner / Augustin Stable	Jonathan E. Sheppard	Eddie Martin, Jr.	Augustin Stable
09/20/2002	Rochester Trainer / Jonathan E. Sheppard Jockey / Eddie Martin, Jr. Owner / Augustin Stable	Jonathan E. Sheppard	Eddie Martin, Jr.	Augustin Stable
09/22/2001	Chorwon Trainer / Hal R. Wiggins Jockey / Jon Kenton Court Owner / Phoebe Ann Mueller	Hal R. Wiggins	Jon Kenton Court	Phoebe Ann Mueller
09/22/2000	Down the Aisle Trainer / William I. Mott Jockey / Robby Albarado Owner / Charles H. Deters	William I. Mott	Robby Albarado	Charles H. Deters
09/25/1999	Fahris (IRE) Trainer / Kiaran P. McLaughlin Jockey / Shane J. Sellers Owner / Shadwell Stable	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	Shane J. Sellers	Shadwell Stable
09/18/1998	Yaqthan (IRE) Trainer / Anthony L. Reinstedler Jockey / Brian Dale Peck Owner / Merdonmar Stable	Anthony L. Reinstedler	Brian Dale Peck	Merdonmar Stable