It's not often that a game plan set out in the paddock goes exactly according to plan, but it did for Grand Sonata at Kentucky Downs Sept. 7, leading to victory in the $1,995,000 million Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes (G2T).
"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 and get behind (even-money favorite) Integration, great follow," Gaffalione said. "Everything just worked out."
Entering off a slow pace in the Aug. 24 Sword Dancer Stakes (G1T) at Saratoga Race Course that contributed to him finishing last of five, Grand Sonata received a much better set up Saturday as the Turf Cup's defending winner, Get Smokin, set fractions of :23.65, :47.53, 1:11.21, and 1:34.97.
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, the dark bay or brown horse asserted himself the one to beat, and no one did.
"He's a really good-moving, fluent horse," Green said. "He's very confident in himself, I think they have to be to get over this course."
Highway Robber, last early, made a run but could only get within a half-length at the wire. Tawny Port was third while favored Integration finished fourth.
The final time of 2:24.93 was a track record.
Grand Sonata bests the field in the G2 FanDuel TV Kentucky Turf Cup. The Whisper Hill Farm homebred was trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione. #KyDowns pic.twitter.com/ciMcAuANFD
— Kentucky Downs (@KYDownsRacing) September 7, 2024
Part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, Grand Sonata earned a fees-paid berth to the $5 million Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Del Mar Nov. 2. Green couldn't commit to that path yet, saying it would be between Pletcher and owner Whisper Hill Farm, but said the "Win and You're In" has been known to sway connections to the World Championships.
Regardless of his Breeders' Cup status, Gaffalione was relieved to pick up victory in the Turf Cup considering he had finished third or fourth in each of the last four editions. Two of those came on the favorite, but the long-sought win came aboard a longshot who paid $32.78.
"(The Turf Cup) is one that's gotten away the last four or five years, it's really bothered me," Gaffalione said. "It was extra special to get it done today."
A Kentucky homebred for Whisper Hill, Grand Sonata became sire Medaglia d'Oro's fourth graded or group stakes winner of the season. The Darley stallion, who stood for a $75,000 fee this year, has also been represented in the graded winner's circle by Kallos, Ticker Tape Home, and Delahaye.
The victory was a first graded win for Grand Sonata since the 2022 Kitten's Joy Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park. HIs record now stands at 5-6-2 from 23 starts for earnings of $2,057,635.
