Silverfoot, Rochester clash in Kentucky Cup Turf

Veteran turf marathoners SILVERFOOT (With Approval) and ROCHESTER (Green

Dancer) will renew their rivalry in Saturday's $200,000 Kentucky Cup Turf S.

(G3). Silverfoot and Rochester finished first and second, respectively, in last

year's Kentucky Cup Turf, which is run over the undulating turf course at

Kentucky Downs. The 1 1/2-mile event is the annual highlight of the Kentucky Cup

Turf Festival.

Silverfoot won the 1 3/8-mile Louisville H. (G3) for the third consecutive

year at Churchill Downs on May 29. Since then, the Dallas Stewart trainee

finished fourth in the United Nations S. (G1) at Monmouth Park and sixth in the

Sword Dancer Invitational S. (G1) at Saratoga. The gray six-year-old will carry

co-highweight of 118 pounds, including jockey Mark Guidry.

Rochester won the Kentucky Cup Turf in 2002 and 2003. The Jonathan Sheppard-trained

10-year-old finished second in the last two editions of the

Kentucky Cup Turf and will try to turn the tables on his younger rival this time

around. Interestingly, Rochester has finished second to Silverfoot in two

editions of the Louisville.

Other contenders include Stars and Stripes Breeders' Cup Turf H. (G3) winner

MAJOR RHYTHM (Rhythm) and Saranac S. (G3) winner ROCK LOBSTER (Mt. Livermore).

The field, in post position order with jockeys and weights, is Rochester,

James Graham, 116; CAUSEWAY (Giant's Causeway), no rider, 112; EMBOSSED (Ire)

(Mark of Esteem [Ire]), Larry Melancon, 116; DYNALYMPIC (Dynaformer), Corey

Lanerie, 118; Silverfoot; LORD CARMEN (Ordway), Brice Blanc, 116; Major Rhythm,

Earlie Fires, 118; and Rock Lobster, no rider, 116.

The Bill Mott-trained THETACTICS OFDANCE (Tactical Advantage) and ALMOST

INNOCENT (Ire) (Danehill) will face a full field of 12 in the $100,000

Kentucky

Cup Ladies Turf S. The one-mile test also includes DYNAMIST (Dynaformer) and

MISS WELLSPRING (Afternoon Deelites), the respective one-two finishers in last Saturday's

Pleasant Temper S. over this course and trip.

An overflow field of 15 has been entered for the $100,000

Kentucky Cup Turf

Dash S. Top contenders in the six-furlong sprint include Shakertown S. (G3)

winner ATTICUS KRISTY (Atticus), Aegon Turf Sprint S. (G3) runner-up JUSTICE FOR

AUSTON (Lit de Justice) and Yankee Affair S. winner THE NTH DEGREE (Distorted

Humor).

Memorial Day H. winner SOLO CAT (Tabasco Cat) could be the one to beat in the

$50,000 Yaqthan S. The one-mile race is named for the

1998 Kentucky Cup Turf

winner, a local favorite trained by Tony Reinstedler.