2004 Kentucky Cup at Turfway Park
Roses In May Wins the Classic ©
2004 Emily Hufford
Kentucky Cup Day at Turfway
Park
by Laura Ferguson
It was a picture-perfect day at Turfway Park on Kentucky
Cup Day, and while the fields were compact in size, they featured talented
runners and thrilling races. The first stakes race up on the card was
the Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies, won by Heiligbrodt Stables' and Burning
Day Farms' Punch Appeal. The daughter of redhot freshman sire Successful
Appeal had no trouble handling the one mile distance, and put away Carmandia
in the stretch after disputing the pace with that rival. Lukas' maiden
filly Winning Season made a nice rally for third, while Bassinet heroine
I'm A Dixie Girl disappointed with a dull effort. Punch Appeal has now
won four of six lifetime starts, including three stakes.
Next up were the juvenile colts, and while Lukas' Storied Cat was heavily
favored at 3/5, it was Robert Holthus who found the winner's circle with
Greater Good. The bay son of Intidab rallied from last to win going away
by nearly three lengths. This was the Lewis Lakin colt's second win from
three starts. Pacesetter Magna Graduate gave way grudgingly to finish
second, while Norainonthisparty got the show. Lukas became irate when,
through some sort of error, Storied Cat was not listed as blinkers on,
so the blinkers had to be removed prior to the start of the race. Storied
Cat pressed the pace early before tiring to finish fifth in the field
of six.
The Kentucky Cup Classic was the next race, and Roses in May, the heavy
favorite, was clearly the star of the show. The beautiful dark bay or
brown colt did not disappoint, alternating with Pie N Burger for the early
lead before drawing off to win by four lengths. The four year old son
of Devil His Due was kept to the task, and worked an additional 1/8 of
a mile after the finish, for a total gallop out of 1 1/4 miles. Injury
plagued earlier in his career, the Dale Romans' charge is now unbeaten
in five starts this year, including a victory in the Grade 1 Whitney Handicap
last time out. The Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey colt will most likely make
his next start in the Breeders' Cup Classic in a bid for divisional and
Horse of the Year honors. Pie N Burger held on for second, while Sonic
West made a belated rally for third.
It was then the fillies' turn to shine in the Turfway Breeders' Cup. Angela's
Love, winner of the Gardenia Handicap-G3, went off as the slight favorite
over Humana Distaff-G1 winner Mayo On The Side. However, the new kid on
the block got the glory and the win, as the lone sophomore in the field,
Susan's Angel, emerged the best after a thrilling stretch battle. The
daughter of Cape Town had won the Serena's Song Stakes earlier this year,
but had been off the board in her most recent start, the Alabama Stakes.
Lukas appeared fully recovered from his fit of temper over Storied Cat,
and was all smiles in the winners' circle. Mayo On the Side was second,
while Angela's Love completed the trifecta. Our Josephine was a late scratch
after flipping in the paddock, but the four year old Tale of the Cat filly
appeared to be okay.
Last, but not least, was the Kentucky Cup Sprint, restricted to 3yos,
which was won last year by Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Cajun Beat. This
year's version wasn't quite as strong, headlined by one of the top juveniles
of 2003, Cuvee. The field featured terrific speed, and only one closer,
Level Playingfield. The son of Level Sands went off as the longest shot
of the five entries, at odds of 10/1, and of course, the rest is history.
After Cuvee, Swift Attraction and Heckle battled it out on the lead, the
Fly Racing colt lagged far behind, but made a powerful move in the stretch
to get the win by almost three lengths. This victory was the third of
the day for trainer Robert Holthus, and the first career stakes win for
Level Playingfield. The colt completed the six furlongs in a swift 1:09.76.
Cuvee won the battle, but lost the war by finishing second, with Swift
Attraction a half-length in front of Heckle for the show.
