Factor This has $1 million turf stakes on schedule, but which one?

Trainer Brad Cox has not ruled out running Factor This back in the Grade 3 Kentucky Downs Turf Cup on Sept. 12, but said this week he is still leaning toward the Grade 1 Old Forester Turf Classic on the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby undercard. Both are $1 million races.

“I’d prefer not to show my hand too much,” Cox said.

Factor This, a speedy 5-year-old, won his fourth straight turf stakes Sunday at Ellis, holding off Hierarchy in the Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup. The race was the last of five such previews toward the six-day Kentucky Downs meet next month. Factor This earned a 99 Beyer Speed Figure, marking the fourth straight race with a 99 or higher.

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Other preview winners were Spectacular Gem (99 Beyer, Tourist); English Affair (99 Beyer, Ladies Turf); Into Mystic (100 Beyer, Ladies Turf Sprint); and Carotari (92 Beyer, Turf Sprint). All are expected to head next to their respective races at Kentucky Downs.

◗ Trainer Dale Romans has won only two races since July 8, opening day of the short Keeneland meet, but they were two good ones. Girl Daddy, an Uncle Mo filly, and Ultimate Badger, a Commissioner colt, might well have been the most impressive winners of 2-year-old maiden-special races through the first half of the Ellis meet.

“They both act like they could be any kind,” Romans said.

Girl Daddy earned a 64 Beyer in winning by 5 1/2 lengths on July 24, and Ultimate Badger got a 60 Beyer in winning by 4 1/4 lengths last Friday.

◗ A $38,000 first-level allowance serves as the highlight of a Friday card that starts at the usual 12:50 p.m. Central. It’s the eighth of nine races, with Sister Kitten and Ella Brilla the likely favorites in a competitive field of 11 fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles on turf.

◗ With 12 of 25 summer programs at Ellis still to go, Rafael Bejarano leads all jockeys with 14 wins and Dane Kobiskie leads all trainers with six wins. The meet runs through Aug. 30.