1 of 2 | Journalism, shown winning the Grade I Haskell at Monmouth Park on July 19, takes on older horses for the first time in Saturday’s Grade I Pacific Classic at Del Mar, a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders. Cup Classic. Photo courtesy of Monmouth Park

Aug. 29 (UPI) — Kentucky Downs’ massive purses lead the way in a week filled with turf races from coast to coast — with the major exceptions of the Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga and the Grade I Pacific Classic at Del Mar.

There are seven Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” events on the calendar, five on the turf. There are eight races with purses of $1 million or more — right up to the $3.5 million of the Nashville Derby at Kentucky Downs.

Since they make up such a big part of the program, let it be noted up front that the full advertised purse amounts at Kentucky Downs are available only to Kentucky-breds. Still, the base purses easily are worth more than enough to bring big talent from far and wide to the old Dueling Grounds on the Kentucky-Tennessee border.

Classic

A continent apart, two Grade I events will set the stage this weekend for year-end showdowns. Each has a $1 million purse. Both offer “Win and You’re In” tickets to the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

One has the winners of both the 2023 and 2024 Classic. The other has the first of the 3-year-old heavyweights taking on older rivals.

With Sovereignty looking to run away with 3-year-old honors, if not the Horse of the Year title, Journalism says, “Just one moment, please,” by becoming the first of his age group’s big guns to take on older horses in Saturday’s $1 million Grade I Pacific Classic at Del Mar.

The race features the likes of Fierceness and Nysos, and should Journalism prevail, he would put his nose back into the awards picture. His three Grade I wins (Santa Anita Derby, Preakness and Haskell) equal the total so far rung up by Sovereignty (Kentucky Derby, Belmont and Travers). And he did, after all, finish second to Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont.

Meanwhile, Nysos has won five of six starts for trainer Bob Baffert, while Fierceness, second in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic, looks to rebound from a fifth-place finish in the Grade I Whitney at Saratoga in his most recent trip. Generous odds will be on offer for the other five in his field.

Most of the heavyweights who aren’t at Del Mar will assemble for Sunday’s $1 million Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga, the other weekend “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Among them are the last two Classic winners, White Abarrio from 2023 and Sierra Leone from 2024.

Also in the picture are Mindframe, winner of the Grade I Churchill Downs Stakes and Grade I Stephen Foster in his last two starts; the 2024 Jockey Club Gold Cup winner, Highland Falls; and five more aspirational entries.

Turf

Saturday’s $3.5 million Grade III Nashville Derby Invitational must be on the turf. That’s all they have at Kentucky Downs. But it would be hard to tell by looking at a field that includes Triple Crown trail vets Hill Road, Burnham Square, Tiztastic, Sandman and Final Gambit.

A few of them moved to the green course earlier, after springtime hopes faded. More likely in this spot seems Test Score, winner of the Grade I Belmont Derby and third, beaten 1/2 length, in the Grade I Saratoga Derby in his last two starts. They all could be running for second if European galloper Wimbledon Hawkeye fires after shipping in from England.

Also in the division: Saturday’s $300,000 Grade II Del Mar Handicap, a “Win and You’re In” for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf, with Gold Phoenix seeking a threepeat, and Sunday’s $300,000 Grade II Caesar’s Sportsbook Del Mar Derby.

Filly & Mare Turf

Saturday’s $500,000 Grade II Flower Bowl at Saratoga, a “Win and You’re In” for the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf boasts a deep and talented field.

Distaff

Baffert saddles two of the seven 3-year-old fillies entered for Saturday’s $150,000 Grade III Torrey Pines at Del Mar, Tenma and Howin, and they are the heavy favorites.

Turf Mile

Lots of action here.

Program Trading could be tough in Friday’s $150,000 Bernard Baruch at Saratoga off a long layoff. Dynamic Pricing, winner of the Grade I Just a Game two starts back, returns as favorite in Friday’s $150,000 Perfect Sting for fillies and mares at Saratoga.

A deep and diverse field chases the big pot in Saturday’s $2 million Grade III Ladies Turf at Kentucky Downs. And Saturday’s $300,000 Grade II Del Mar Mile has Full Serrano, who has not raced since winning the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, and Formidable Man, 5-for-5 on the Del Mar grass.

Turf Sprint

Dueling $2 million sprints appear on the Saturday program at Kentucky Downs — the Grade II Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint, a “Win and You’re In” for the Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Sprint, and the Grade II Ladies Turf Sprint, with Ag Bullet favored to repeat as winner.

At Del Mar, Motorious seeks a third straight win in Saturday’s $150,000 Grade III Green Flash. He used it to prep for a fifth in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint and again in 2024 to set him up to finish second in the big race.

Juvenile Turf

Final Score scored and early lead in Thursday’s $175,000 Grade III With Anticipation at Saratoga and extended that to a 4 1/2-lengths final score. Heeer’s Johnny was second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of the odds-on favorite, Capital Partner.

A Not This Time colt trained by Todd Pletcher for Mike Repole, Final Score ran 1 1/16 miles on the firm inner turf course in 1:41.75. It was his second win from three starts, all at the Spa.

Juvenile Turf Sprint

Obliteration lived up to his name in his first two starts, winning by 7 1/2 lengths upon debut and 10 1/2 lengths in the Grade III Sanford at Saratoga. He slumped to finish second behind Ewing in the Grade II Saratoga Special and returns looking for a return to the top spot in Sunday’s $1 million Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint.

The favorite, though, is Johnny’s Red Storm, who won his only previous start, also at the Spa, by open lengths. Frankie Dettori takes the reins for trainer George Weaver. Azizam arrives from England via Saratoga. He finished third two starts back in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot.

The accompanying $1 million Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies Stakes has a field of 10 pitting Saratoga-tested fillies Meringue and Oscar’s Encore against Ellis Park success stories including Loveliest, Soloist and a few others. Soloist represents Coolmore’s American while Rose Room totes the blue Godolphin silks. Give ’em a good look. Eight of the 10 won their last start.

Juvenile

Seven are set to go 8 furlongs in Saturday’s $100,000 Sapling at Monmouth Park — a wide-open affair. Some of the big outfits are here so it’s worth a glance.

Juvenile Fillies

Mythical is 3-for-3 with easy wins in the Tremont and Grade III Adirondack earlier in the meeting and looks the one to beat in Saturday’s $300,000 Grade I Spinaway at Saratoga, a “Win and You’re In” for the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Meringue returns from a second in the Adirondack and Percy’s Bar scored by open lengths in her two previous starts, including the Debutante at Churchill Downs.