Burnham Square Aims to Extend Winning Streak in Kentucky Turf Cup
Burnham Square, a standout in American turf racing, is poised to continue an impressive series of victories as it prepares for the Grade 2, $2 million Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs. This 1 1/2-mile event will challenge the 4-year-old colt against formidable rivals, including Ethical Diamond, a Breeders’ Cup champion, and eight other elite competitors. The race is not only a major contest in its own right but also a crucial qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Turf, scheduled for October 31 at Keeneland, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown.
Trainer Ian Wilkes’s Burnham Square enters this Saturday’s race following a remarkable run of four consecutive stakes wins. His recent triumph in the prestigious Arlington Million (G1) on August 1 at Colonial Downs highlighted his prowess. Prior to that, he secured two victories at Churchill Downs: the Chorleywood on June 13 over 1 3/8 miles and the Louisville (G3) on May 16 at 1 1/2 miles. However, it was his commanding 9 3/4-length win in the Elkhorn (G2) at Keeneland in April that truly captured attention, earning him a career-best 107 Beyer Speed Figure. Wilkes expressed confidence in his horse, noting, 'He’s clicked along really well going into this race. It’s a very intriguing race, and it’ll be a fun challenge. You have the European horses coming with the local horses, so the competition is getting deeper.'
Burnham Square, a Kentucky homebred with lifetime earnings exceeding $2.8 million and a consistent record of 7 wins, 4 seconds, and 1 third in 15 starts, has a notable history. Although he won last year's Blue Grass on dirt, his turf debut in the Nashville Derby (G3) saw him finish a close second. Wilkes believes the 1 1/2-mile distance of the Kentucky Turf Cup will be more favorable for the colt. His regular jockey, Brian Hernandez Jr., who recently won with Seneca Park, will once again be in the saddle, starting from post 7.
The competition is fierce, with Ireland’s Ethical Diamond making another journey to the U.S. after his upset victory in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf. This 6-year-old gelding, trained by Willie Mullins, achieved a 107 Beyer Speed Figure in that win. Despite a slow start to this year, Ethical Diamond recently redeemed himself with a narrow win in the Ballyroan (G3) in Ireland. With earnings over $3.3 million, he is one of three millionaires in the field, and internationally acclaimed jockey Ryan Moore will ride him from post 6.
Another European contender is Tiffany, an Ireland-bred 6-year-old mare trained by Sir Mark Prescott. She boasts an impressive record, finishing no worse than third in 16 of her 18 lifetime starts, including a recent victory against males in the Preis von Berlin (G1) in Germany. Regular rider Luke Morris will guide her from post 1. Defending champion Ole Crazy Bone, trained by Kentucky Downs' leading trainer Mike Maker, aims for a second consecutive Kentucky Turf Cup victory. This 6-year-old gelding, who won last year's race by 3 3/4 lengths, recently won the Grade 2 Bowling Green (G3) at Saratoga. Jockey Jose Ortiz will ride Ole Crazy Bone from post 8, hoping to secure Maker's seventh win in this event.
Further strengthening the field are England’s Fort George, seeking to avenge his loss to Ole Crazy Bone in the Bowling Green; Dresden Row, a three-time graded stakes winner hoping to give trainer Todd Pletcher his second Kentucky Turf Cup; Desvio, a graded-stakes winner looking for his first victory since last October; and Layabout, who recently placed fourth in the Arlington Million and seeks to return to his winning form. Stakes winner Eff Thirty Five and eight-time winner Echo Lane complete the competitive lineup. The Kentucky Turf Cup, Race 7, is scheduled for a 3:56 PM CT post time on Saturday, as part of a 12-race program beginning at 12:25 PM CT.
In summary, the upcoming Kentucky Turf Cup is poised to be an enthralling event, drawing together an exceptional collection of racing talent. Burnham Square's quest for an extended winning streak, combined with the presence of formidable challengers such as Breeders' Cup winner Ethical Diamond and other top-tier international and domestic contenders, promises a thrilling display of athleticism and strategy. The race not only offers significant prize money but also serves as a critical stepping stone to the Breeders' Cup Turf, adding an extra layer of competitive intensity to this eagerly anticipated fixture in the horse racing calendar.