Cogburn, North America's top grass sprinter, avenged a 2023 defeat over the unique Kentucky Downs turf course in what was his only loss ever on grass by dominating the $1,797,200 Grade 2 Ainsworth Turf Sprint Stakes on Sept. 7.

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Unlike in this same race last year at Kentucky Downs when he raced just off the early pace and ended up finishing a close fifth, this time Cogburn took charge immediately in the six-furlong contest and was always in control under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Throwing down splits of :21.82, :44.14, and :55.48, Cogburn pulled away to score by 3 1/4 lengths under only mild pressure from Ortiz. The Steve Asmussen trainee hit the wire with a final time of 1:07.68.

"I didn't do much, to be honest. He took me all the way," Ortiz said.

The British-trained Khaadem, winner of Royal Ascot's Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes in 2023-24, rallied to grab second. It was a length farther back to third-place finisher Axthelm who nipped 2023 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Nobals by a nose for the show.

Saturday's race was a "win and you're in" part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, offering its winner an expense-paid automatic berth into the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar. Cogburn had already punched his ticket into the Turf Sprint by winning another Breeders' Cup Challenge race, the Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes presented by Resolute Racing on June 8 at Saratoga Race Course. That day he blitzed 5 1/2 furlongs in a North American record time of :59.80.

A month after the Jaipur, WinStar Farm announced it had partnered with his racing owners in acquiring the breeding rights to the 5-year-old son of Not This Time. Cogburn will stand at WinStar Farm upon his retirement from racing.

"What an amazing horse Cogburn is," Asmussen said. "I'm so proud. For him to validate the form that he has shown all year long in his turf sprints is very special."

Cogburn missed a chance to pursue the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint last year when he was sidelined following his loss at Kentucky Downs. He returned to action this May. Before his success on turf, Cogburn was a three-time winner in eight dirt starts. He has won nine of 15 races overall.

Grand Sonata Upsets Kentucky Turf Cup to Earn Breeders' Cup Turf Invite

It's not often that a gameplan set out in the paddock goes exactly according to plan, but it did for Grand Sonata in his victory in the $1,995,000 million Grade 2 FanDuel TV Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 7.

"This horse has had so many bad trips," said trainer Todd Pletcher's assistant Amelia Green. "Today the rail seemed pretty golden. That was the plan in the paddock."

Breaking from the far outside in the field of nine, jockey Tyler Gaffalione settled the 5-year-old son of Medaglia d'Oro off the pace and toward the rail in the early stages of the 1 1/2-mile contest.

"I was able to tuck in," Gaffalione said. "Everything just worked out."

Grand Sonata. (Candice Chavez/Eclipse Sportswire)

Grand Sonata received a good pace set-up behind the Turf Cup's defending winner, Get Smokin, who set fractions of :23.65, :47.53, 1:11.21, and 1:34.97 before tiring to seventh.

Waiting for Gaffalione's command, Grand Sonata was ready to respond when the pair found daylight turning for home.

"When we needed the spot to open at the quarter pole, it did," Gaffalione said. "My horse didn't hesitate and he did the job well, I'm very proud of him."

Punching through the opening, Grand Sonata asserted himself to take charge in the long Kentucky Downs stretch and prevailed by a half a length. The final time of 2:24.93 was a track record. He paid $32.78 to win.

Highway Robber, last early, made a run but settled for second. Tawny Port was third. Favored Integration finished fourth. Chief Little Rock was scratched in the post parade.

Part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, Grand Sonata earned a fees-paid "Win and You're In" berth to the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 2.

The connections couldn't commit to the Breeders' Cup path yet, saying the decision would be between Pletcher and owner Whisper Hill Farm. -- Sean Collins