2024 Mint Millions Stakes at a Glance

Racing
Kentucky Downs Mint Millions turf horse racing Emmanuel Mountain Bear Irish Aces Cash Equity Tut’s Revenge Strong Quality Funtastic Again Talk of the Nation Reckoning Force Ancient Rome Goliad
Horses compete in a close finish at Kentucky Downs. (Eclipse Sportswire)

Another rich payday at Kentucky Downs awaits on Saturday as a big field of 11 will square off in the $2 million Mint Millions Stakes. The mile contest on turf attracted a field of 11 including last year’s winner, creating another intriguing betting affair that could result in some large payoffs.

MINT MILLIONS STAKES

Racetrack: Kentucky Downs, Franklin, Ky. 

Date: Sept. 7

Purse: $2,000,000

Distance: 1 mile on turf

Race: 8

Post time: 4:41 p.m. ET

Notable winners: Ancient Rome (2023), Somelikeithotbrown (2022), Tourist (2015).

First held: 2002

1. Emmanuel (6-1): Had some trouble when fourth in the Grade 2 United Nations Stakes. Was sold for $500,000 since then and makes his first start for trainer Mike Maker. Is certainly capable of being a contender on his best try.

JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Mike Maker

2. Mountain Bear (10-1): Interesting longshot makes his US debut for Aidan O’Brien. He should like the course and was second last year in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Gets a nice break in the weights as a 3-year-old and should get an excellent ride from Frankie Dettori. Lots to like here.

JOCKEY: Frankie Dettori; TRAINER: Aidan O’Brien

3. Irish Aces (12-1): Wheels right back after winning the Tapit Stakes here Aug. 29. If he can duplicate that effort in this spot, he will be a main threat. But can he?

JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Brendan Walsh

4. Cash Equity (15-1): Was third in a $500,000 handicap here on Sept. 1. Has a good kick and could pose a late threat.

JOCKEY: Julien Leparoux; TRAINER: Saffie Joseph Jr.

5. Tut’s Revenge (20-1): Won the preview stakes for this race at Ellis Park on the front end but should find this course and the field a bit more challenging.

JOCKEY: Ricardo Santana Jr.TRAINER: Mike Maker

6. Strong Quality (15-1): Has a ton of early speed but faltered in Grade 1 company in his last two starts. Gets some class relief but faces a lot of early pressure.

JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Mark Casse

7. Funtastic Again (5-1): Has not raced since late May when he was second in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile Stakes at Santa Anita Park. Has been training steadily and will be a main contender if he’s ready to fire a top effort.

JOCKEY: Gerardo Corrales; TRAINER: Wesley Ward

Ancient Rome (Coady Media)

8. Talk of the Nation (4-1): Tired late in the Arlington Million Stakes at 1 ¼ miles, but should be well-suited by this race’s one-mile distance. Prior to that, he was highly consistent, finishing first or second in eight of his previous nine starts.

JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

9. Reckoning Force (15-1): Comes off a nice allowance win at Saratoga, but will be facing much better company here.

JOCKEY: Luan Machado; TRAINER: Brendan Walsh

10. Ancient Rome (5-2): Won this race last year in his U.S. debut. Ran a good second in a Group 2 stakes at Ascot earlier this year, then was third in the Arlington Million. Fits much better here and cannot be overlooked in his bid for back-to-back wins.

JOCKEY: Jamie Spencer; TRAINER: Charlie Hills

11. Goliad (10-1): Won the $500,000 handicap referenced above that Cash Equity finished third in last week, and he did so in gate-to-wire fashion. Drew the far outside post and will have a much tougher time on the front end here.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Richard Mandella

THE PICK/LIVE LONGSHOT: Mountain Bear

SUPERFECTA: 2-8-10-7

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