Exotics plays for the Turf Cup Stakes at Kentucky Downs

A massive field of 16 is entered to contest Saturday’s lucrative $1 million Turf Cup S. (G2) at Kentucky Downs. A total of six horses from the barn of Mike Maker are in the mix of the 1 1/2-mile feature event, and I think that two of those offer great value in the especially deep contest.

#11 Zulu Alpha (6-1) has a world of back class, and he is also proven on the unique turf course. A winner of the event in 2019, the son of Street Cry finished a solid third in the race last campaign over a soft turf oval. The eight-year-old gelding has been subpar in two unplaced  2021 races, but the gelding should take a huge step forward when returning to a track that he thrives upon. Ricardo Santana, Jr. picks up the mount and will stalk the pace from near midpack in the early stages of the race.

Maker’s #9 Glynn County (15-1) continues to progress and looms large at great odds on Saturday. The ever-improving son of Kitten’s Joy has run sneaky well in two Grade 1 tilts in advance of this test. He was a closing fifth behind a soft pace in the United Nations S. (G1) at Monmouth two back, prior to finishing a clear third behind another soft tempo in the Mister D. S. (G1) at Arlington Park most recently. The Kentucky-bred will get a better set up against these under Tyler Gaffalione.

In addition of the pair of Maker trainees, I will also dabble with #2 Crossfirehurricane (20-1) with Flavien Prat in the silks. The Mike McCarthy pupil ran much better than it appears when missing by two lengths in the Del Mar H. (G2) most recently, and I think he will peak on Saturday in his third race since coming over from Europe. The chestnut will save ground early and make one run in the stretch.

Defending champ #5 Arklow (3-1) thrives at Kentucky Downs and is simply too consistently good to omit for conditioner Brad Cox.

Turf Cup Exotics Wagers

• 50-cent trifecta 9,11 with 2,5,9,11 with all ($30)
• 50-cent trifecta 9,11 with all with 2,5,9,11 ($30)
• 10-cent superfecta 9,11 with 2,5,9,11 with 2,5,9,11 with all ($10.80)