The Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity drew five contenders on Sunday’s closing-day card for the Del Mar summer meet with two entrants trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert and the other three from the barn of trainer Doug O’Neill.
Labor Day will provide a lucrative payday to some lucky connections Monday as Kentucky Downs will present the $2 million Mint Millions Invitational Stakes. The mile turf feature attracted a well-matched field of 10 including two entrants from overseas. The race is part of a stellar 14-race card loaded with big fields and wagering value.
It was quite the week in North American racing, highlighted by DraftKings Travers Stakesday at Saratoga Race Course that featured an incredible five Grade 1 races.
Here’s a question to ponder: Suppose that you’re an up-and-coming young jockey, not yet 25 years old and less than a decade into your career. Out of the blue, you’re called upon to ride arguably the greatest horse of all time in the final start of his illustrious career. Could you handle the pressure?
It sounds like something out of a movie, but for jockey Edward “Eddie” Maple, this opportunity was real. And for the record, Maple did handle the pressure, which was arguably the turning point in what would become a legendary Hall of Fame riding career.
The AGS Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational Stakes has been a fixture at Kentucky Downs since before the turn of the century, a 1 ½-mile grass race that now boosts a seven-figure purse and regularly draws elite turf runners from both the U.S. and abroad.
