In The Money Telegraph
Saturday, September 5, 2026 · By ITM Staff
A Kentucky Downs Blockbuster — and the Belt on the Line
This is the big one. Kentucky Downs puts on the richest day of its meet today, a stakes-stacked card that track officials bill as part of the U.S. Open of Turf Championships — and it doubles as the finish line for the King of the Turf. The $2,500 grand finale of the handicapping challenge goes today, and its winner is crowned King of the Turf: National Turf Handicapping Champion and takes home the championship belt. Defending champ Matt Miller is back to defend it. You can play through ITM’s preferred partner, TwinSpires.
The racing is a feast. The $3 million Nashville Derby (G2) is the centerpiece — the second-richest three-year-old race in America behind only the Kentucky Derby — and it drew a formidable European contingent, led by Aidan O’Brien’s Causeway, a Royal Ascot winner, against Saratoga Derby winner Glacius. The $2 million Kentucky Turf Cup (G2), a “Win and You’re In’’ to the Breeders’ Cup Turf, sets up as Burnham Square against last year’s surprise Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Ethical Diamond. And the Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint (G2) offers its own berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. The Ladies Turf (Classic Q) and the Music City (Cy Fair) round out five graded stakes on the day, connected by an all-stakes Pick 5.
PTF and JK went through the whole card — the pace angles, the Euro invaders, and where the value hides on a day the crowd will lean chalky. Watch below.
Closing Weekend at Saratoga, and the Babies
Saratoga is in its final days too, and Saturday brings a Grade 1 for the juveniles in the Spinaway, plus the Grade 3 With Anticipation on the turf. On the latest Baby Talk, PTF and Keeneland Sales’ Dean Roethemeier go through the two-year-old races at both Saratoga and Del Mar — and look ahead to the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, the world’s largest, which opens September 14. Watch below.
One more to watch for: PTF and JK’s Saratoga Saturday show will be up soon. Subscribe to the ITM YouTube channel so you never miss an upload.
Saturday’s Cards
Kentucky Downs. Ray Cotolo has spot plays across the stakes card, with a read on the rail moving in to 25 feet for the first time this meet. Cotolo’s plays →
Monmouth. The $100,000 Sapling Stakes headlines — the two-year-old race where Danny Gargan ran Dornoch as a maiden in 2023, and where he sends the well-regarded Gorillaz today. First post 12:50 p.m. ET. Eric Solomon has the card. Solomon’s card →
Colonial. It’s closing weekend in Virginia, with the VA-restricted Nellie Mae Cox Stakes on today’s card. Contest player Kevin Lux joined Mikee P for spot plays on video, and Michael Domabyl has the full-card picks.
UK & Europe. Steven Bonnick previews a big Group weekend, from Haydock’s Sprint Cup to Longchamp’s Arc trials on Sunday — where Survie, winner of the Christophe Clement Turf Stakes at Saratoga, steps up in the Prix Vermeille. Bonnick’s preview →
Del Mar. Dean Keppler’s Del Mar analysis will be up on the site soon — and there’s plenty more where that came from. Keep checking back at inthemoneypodcast.com for lots of great free tips and analysis all weekend long.
ITM Plus
The Belt Today, Keeneland Next
A blockbuster Kentucky Downs Saturday, closing weekend at Saratoga, and the Keeneland September Sale just ahead — with the Breeders’ Cup now on the horizon. ITM Plus members get daily written selections, the members’ bet share, exclusive shows, and full coverage all the way to Keeneland.
More all weekend at inthemoneypodcast.com and on the ITM YouTube channel, with premium coverage on ITM Plus.
