Bandua among Kentucky Turf Cup probables

FRANKLIN, Ky. – Even though he is a 3-year-old who would be facing older, Bandua was among the probable entries for Saturday’s Grade 3 Kentucky Turf Cup, a 1 1/2-mile race likely to get a full field of 12.

Irish trainer Dermot Weld told Kentucky Downs officials he might enter Bandua in both the Turf Cup and 1 5/16-mile Dueling Grounds Derby, but that the Calumet Farm colt is more likely for the former because of the longer distance. Bandua most recently was third in his North American debut, the Grade 1 Secretariat at Arlington Park, and has been training since then at Keeneland.

As of Monday, other likely starters for the Turf Cup include Arklow, Big Bend, Bigger Picture, Manitoulin, and Some in Tieme.

The other Saturday stakes are the $500,000 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint, the $500,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf, the $450,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint, and the $500,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Turf Sprint. Purses for all non-claiming races at Kentucky Downs include sizable bonuses available only to horses registered with the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.