Joseph eyeing Kentucky Downs for Implementation after Smile score

Implementation is coming off arguably the strongest performance of his career, a two-length victory going six furlongs over the main track Saturday at Gulfstream Park in the Smile Sprint. But his trainer, Saffie Joseph Jr., said it will likely be back to the grass for the versatile sprinter and a shot at a really lucrative payday later this summer in the $2 million Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint.

Implementation earned a career-best 97 Beyer Speed Figure while posting his second consecutive stakes win in the Smile. He captured the Army Mule going seven panels in similarly easy fashion on March 29 after launching his 2025 campaign finishing second going a mile in the Grade 3 Fred Hooper.

“I thought six furlongs was a bit of a question mark, that it might have been too short, but he handled it well,” Joseph admitted. “Even though he’s a dirt horse, he loves Kentucky Downs, so that’s what we’re going to point him for next.

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Implementation is perfect in two starts at Kentucky Downs, having won allowance races over the course going 6 1/2 furlongs each of the last two summers for Joseph and owner Ken Ramsey.

“I’d like to get in the big one if we can,” said Joseph, referring to the Turf Sprint. “He ran fast there over that course last year.”

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