Factor This brings streak into Preview Turf Cup on Kentucky Downs Preview Day

Mostly big fields with recognizable names were expected when entries were drawn Thursday for the third annual Kentucky Downs Preview Day, to be held Sunday at Ellis Park in western Kentucky.

Five $100,000 turf stakes will be run as designated preps for the Kentucky Downs meet, which runs Sept. 7-16. Brad Cox and Mike Maker are among the prominent trainers expected to have a multitude of starters in the preview races, with Factor This in the 1 1/4-mile Preview Turf Cup for Cox being the most notable.

Factor This has won his last three starts, all graded turf stakes, with Beyer Speed Figures ranging from 99 to 104. The Preview Turf Cup is a prep for the $600,000 Kentucky Turf Cup, a 1 1/2-mile race on Sept. 12, but Factor Again, with Shaun Bridgmohan riding again, is using the Ellis race as a stepping-stone to the Grade 1 Old Forester on the Kentucky Derby undercard Sept. 5.

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Factor This was expected by Ellis racing officials to face Signalman, Hierarchy, and probably another six or seven older horses. The other stakes include a terrific renewal of the Tourist preview, matching Spectacular Gem, Mr. Misunderstood, Hog Creek Hustle, and Dontblamerocket going a mile; the 5 1/2-furlong Ladies Sprint, headed by Morticia and possibly Change of Control; the one-mile Ladies Turf, marking the seasonal debut of Daddy Is a Legend; and the 5 1/2-furlong Sprint with a sizable, well-matched field.

Spectators are being permitted to attend the Ellis races amid the ongoing global pandemic, although tickets must be purchased in advance through ellisparkracing.com.