The Commonwealth Turf Cup is an American Thoroughbred horse race held each year since 2015 at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland. It was previously known as the Colonial Turf Cup when it was held at Colonial Downs race track in New Kent County, Virginia. It is raced on turf at a distance of one mile and is open to horses aged three years old and up. The current purse is $200,000.
In 2009, the race was upgraded from a Grade III to a Grade II event. In 2011, the race changed its conditions to allow entry of older horses. This change caused the race to lose its graded status until 2013, when it again became a Grade II event.
From 2005 to 2013, the race was run at miles. For the 2015 renewal, the distance was shortened to miles, and in 2016 to 1 mile.
Records Fastest time: miles : 1:52.98 Showing Up (2006)
Most wins by an owner: 1 – No owner has won the Colonial Turf Cup more than once
Most wins by a jockey: 1 – No jockey has won the Colonial Turf Cup more than once
Most wins by a Trainer: 2 – Todd Pletcher (2005, 2012)
Winners of the Commonwealth Turf Cup Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance (Miles) Time Grade2016 Blacktype5 Trevor McCarthy Christophe Clement Jump Sucker Stable1 1:33.43 II2015 Mr. Speaker 3 José Ortiz Shug McGaughey Phipps Stable1-1/8 1:47.30 II2014 Race not held2013 London Lane6 Horatio Karamanos Lawrence Murray Howard M. Bender1-3/161:55.40II2012 Turbo Compressor4 Joe Bravo Todd A. Pletcher P & G Stable1-3/161:55.002011 Rahystrada7 Sheldon Russell Byron Hughes Robert Courtney1-3/161:54.682010Paddy O'Prado3Kent DesormeauxDale RomansDonegal Racing1-3/161:54.20II2009 Battle of Hastings3 Tyler Baze Jeff Mullins Michael House1-3/161:57.79 II2008 Sailor's Cap3 Alan Garcia James J. Toner Team Valor International1-3/162:04.42III2007 Summer Doldrums3 Jose Lezcano Richard A. Violette Jr. Klaravich Stables1-3/161:55.68III2006 Showing Up3 Cornelio Velásquez Barclay Tagg Lael Stables1-3/161:52.982005 English Channel3 John Velazquez Todd Pletcher James T. Scatuorchio1-3/161:56:37
References
Colonial Turf Cup Information on Colonial Downs website about the Colonial Turf Cup