Spooky Channel, Kitodan Go in KY Downs Turf Cup Preview

NBS Stable’s multiple graded stakes winner Spooky Channel is set to face Foster Family Racing, Douglas Miller, and William Wargel’s returning grade 3 winner Kitodan in the sixth running of the $250,000 Kentucky Downs Turf Cup Preview Aug. 6 at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.

The stellar card will feature four stakes whose winners will receive an automatic entry-fees paid spot to their corresponding race at Kentucky Downs. The winner of the Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup will receive a berth in the Sept. 9, $1.7 million Kentucky Downs Turf Cup (G2T).

Trained by Evansville, Ind., native Jason Barkley, Spooky Channel has spent the summer at Ellis Park preparing for this start. The classy 8-year-old son of English Channel last ran in the Turf Classic (G1T) on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs, where he finished third behind Up to the Mark and Hong Kong Harry .

The Eric Foster-trained son of Point of Entry , Kitodan, is set to make his 4-year-old debut, his first start since his four-length victory in last year’s Dueling Grounds Derby (G3T).

Other accomplished horses in the field include Ironhorse Racing Stable, BlackRidge Stables, T-N-T Equine Holdings, and Saratoga Racing Partners’ multiple graded stakes winner Get Smokin ; trainer Mike Maker’s duo of Texas Turf Classic winner King Cause and Schuster Memorial winner Me and Mr. C ; Hanshin Stakes second War Campaign ; F Five for trainer Brian Lynch; 2022 Louisville (G3T) winner Cellist; Dueling Grounds Derby third Mount Rundle; Rodolphe Brisset-trained McLovin; Joseph Allen’s Siege of Boston ; and Camp Hope for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Entries: KY Downs Preview Turf Cup S.

Ellis Park, Sunday, August 06, 2023, Race 9

STK
1 1/4m
Turf
$250,000
3 yo’s & up
3:55 PM (local)

Big Field in Ladies Turf Mile Preview

Cambus-Kenneth Farm’s Mint Julep Stakes (G3T) winner Henrietta Topham leads an oversubscribed field of 14 fillies and mares, including grade 2 winner New Year’s Eve , entered in Sunday’s sixth running of the $200,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Mile Preview. The winner will receive a berth to the Sept. 2, $1 million Ladies Turf (G3).

Henrietta Topham wins the Mint Julep Stakes on Sunday, June 4, 2023 at Churchill Downs — Photo: Coady Photography

Henrietta Topham wins the Mint Julep Stakes at Churchill Downs

Henrietta Topham achieved her biggest victory in early June when she surged late in the Mint Julep Stakes at Churchill Downs. Trained by Geoff Mulcahy, Henrietta Topham was a troubled third last time out in the Indiana General Assembly Distaff at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Trainer Brendan Walsh entered three in the Preview, including Qatar Racing and Fergus Galvin’s New Year’s Eve. Her last victory was in the 2022 Edgewood (G2T) at Churchill Downs but following that race she ran third in the Saratoga Oaks Invitational (G3T) and the Modesty (G3T).

Walsh’s other entries are Bradley Thoroughbreds, Cambron Equine, and Kurz Equine Investments’ Arm Candy and Dewberry Thoroughbred’s Princess Theorem .

Other runners include Allen Stable’s For the Flag in search of her first stakes victory; stakes winner Glenall for new trainer Caio Caramori; Carl Moore Management’s Fancy Martini; Distaff Turf Stakes winner Sweet Dani Girl ; Boudoir Burlesque for trainer Anna Decker; the Uncle Mo filly Sinfiltre ; twice stakes-placed Querobin Dourada for trainer Paulo Lobo; Winchester Place Thoroughbreds’ Lady Hideaway ; and recent Opelousas Stakes winner Takntothecleaners .

Entries: KY Downs Preview Ladies Turf Mile S.

Ellis Park, Sunday, August 06, 2023, Race 7

STK
1m
Turf
$200,000
3 yo’s & up Fillies and Mares
2:50 PM (local)

Chiseler Tops Preview Turf Sprint

Hoolie Racing Stable’s Dade Park Dash hero Chiseler returns to Ellis Park and will face an oversubscribed field of 14 turf sprinters that entered Sunday’s sixth running of the $200,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Sprint.

Trained by Greg Foley, Chiseler recorded his first stakes victory in the Dade Park Dash when he rallied from just off the pace to defeat five rivals by 2 1/4 lengths.

Surfside Stables’ Oceanic will be after his fifth lifetime victory. The son of Constitution finished a game second to Lucky Score in the Highlander Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine. Trained by Jordan Blair, Oceanic won last year’s Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial Downs and subsequently finished a narrow runner-up to multiple Breeders’ Cup winner Golden Pal in the Woodford Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland.