Red Knight blasted the tote 15-1 during the GII Kentucky Turf Cup S. at the Kentucky Downs on Saturday, earning a berth for the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf in November. A strong breakout from the side turret. in his, chestnut fell close behind with only three of his 11 opponents beating in the open half-mile with: 49.72. A little uphill, but still trying to make it through 3/4 of the time in 1:14.52, Red Knight sneaks outside to stay within impressive distance of close to the turn. Four widths at the top of the lane, gelding hits straight ahead in the middle of the ramp and blocks late hits from Gufo and Another Mystery to arouse discomfort.
“He ran a great race at the Colonial Downs,” said winning driver Gerardo Corrales. “This is the perfect distance for him, 12 stretches. Gufo is a three-time 1st place winner. When Gufo approached Red Knight, the Red Knight actually saw him with his naked eyes and he was energized. He never gave up. He just kept trying.”
He added, “I have won two classification races in my lifetime and they were this week with Kitodan in [GIII] Duel with Derby and now with Red Knight. “
“I think he’s going to be beaten,” said winning coach Mike Maker. “He dug deep and fought hard. He’s a boxer, he’s a tough horse. He did a great ride and took him outside and got the job done. “
GIII winner Sycamore S. in 2020, Red Knight placed second to GISW Arklow (Arch) in GII Louisville S. last May and fifth to recent GI Sword Dancer S. winner Gufo in Grand Couturier S. last July . Returning for the fifth time in Saratoga’s GII Bowling Green S. last summer, he finished sixth in John’s Call S. being restricted there a month later and rescheduled for the season. Transferred from Bill Mott to Mike Maker in the interim, Red Knight rallied to win the Colonial Cup S. on July 27 after a 13-month break.
Genealogical notes:
Red Knight is the half brother of MSW Macagone. Isabel Away’s most recent production is a 4-year-old boy named Druid (Magician {Ire}).
Saturday, Kentucky Downs
KENTUCKY TURF CUP S.-HOLD$694,180, Kentucky Downs, 9-10, 3yo/up, 1 1/2mT, 2:26.96, fm.
first-RED KNIGHT, 124, g, 8, by Pure Prize
Dam One: Isabel Away, by Skip Away
2nd dam: Indio Rose, by Alydar
3rd Dam: Misukaw, by Northern Dancer
O/B-Trinity Farm, LLC (NY); T-Michael J. Maker; J-Gerardo
Corrales. 317,130 dollars. Lifetime record: 29-10-8-1, $1,210,388.
* 1/2 for Macagone (Artie Schiller), MSW, $654,981. Nick Werk
Rating: A. Click to view eNicks report & pedigree of 5 children.
Click to view Free Equineline.com catalog style genealogy.
2-Gufo124, h, 5, Declaration of War – Floy, by Petionville.
O-Otter Bend Stables, LLC; B-John Little and Stephen Cainelli
(CZK); T-Christophe Clement. $186,000.
3–Another mystery124, h, 6, Temple City – Ioya Two, by
Lord of War (Arg). Block O/B-Group (IL); T-Chris M. Block.
51,150 dollars.
Margin: NO, NK, 1. Odds: 12.02, 1.63, 15.67.
Also Ran: Highest Honor, Admissions Office, Arklow, Glynn County, Whose Star, Rogue Element, Breaking Point (Chi), Temple, Keystone Field. Scratch: Militarist.
Click to view Equibase.com chart and PP of TJCIS.com. VIDEO sponsored by TVG.
