Obliteration will try turf in Kentucky Downs Juvenile Turf Sprint

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Obliteration, winner of the Grade 3 Sanford Stakes and runner-up in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special, both on dirt, will attempt the turf in the $1 million Kentucky Downs Juvenile Turf Sprint on Aug. 31, trainer Steve Asmussen said.

Obliteration has worked twice on the turf, including on Friday, when he went a half-mile in 48.71 seconds over the Oklahoma turf course, according to Daily Racing Form’s Mike Welsch.

Asmussen said the $1 million purse is the attraction for making this surface switch. Oblieration is by Violence and is a half-brother to seven winners, including Sassy Beast, who did win a listed turf stakes at Colonial Downs.

“His pedigree is pretty versatile. He’s got a couple of siblings that have run on the turf,” Asmussen said. “Violence will throw you anything. He’s a fast horse and it’s a million dollars.”

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