Fields for Kentucky Cup Shaping Up

The fields for the Sept. 18 Kentucky Cup at Turfway Park are beginning to take shape and full fields are expected.

Trainer Steve Asmussen will send out Cuvee in the Kentucky Cup Sprint (gr. III). Cuvee will be challenged by the Todd Pletcher-trained Heckle. John Velazquez has the mount. The Sprint will be Heckle's second start since undergoing surgery last summer to remove bone chips from his left front ankle. His first start back netted him a second-place finish in an allowance race at Saratoga on Aug. 28.

Trainer Greg Foley will bring Silver Minister to the Sprint, with leading rider Rafael Bejarano scheduled to ride. Silver Minister won all three Turfway preps for the Lane's End Stakes (gr. II) early this year before finishing last in the Lane's End in March. He returned to racing with a fifth-place finish at Ellis Park in early August.

Also scheduled to start are Intrinsic Worth, with Robby Albarado aboard for trainer Michael Stidham, and Level Playingfield, with John McKee up for trainer Robert Holthus.

D. Wayne Lukas has Quick Action scheduled to start in the Sprint; he is undecided about his other nominee to the race, Swift Attraction.

The Kentucky Cup Juvenile (gr. III) field will be led by the D. Wayne Lukas combo of Consolidator or Storied Cat. Definite for the Juvenile are Greater Good for Robert Holthus, with John McKee named to ride, and Magna Graduate for trainer Garry Simms.

The Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. III) will be led by either Runway Model or Im a Dixie Girl from the barn of trainer Bernie Flint. On the definite list for the Juvenile Fillies are Carmandia for trainer Carl Nafzger; Jules Best for trainer Vickie Foley; Punch Appeal for Asmussen; Victorious Halo for Joseph Martin; and Winning Season for Lukas.