The Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes is a Grade II American thoroughbred horse race for horses age three and older over a distance of furlongs on the turf held annually in early May on the Kentucky Oaks day meeting at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky during the spring meeting.

History

The event was inaugurated on 5 May 1995 as the Churchill Downs Turf Sprint Stakes as the sixth race on the undercard of the Kentucky Oaks day meeting over a distance of five furlongs. The event was won by the second favorite Long Suit, who led all the way to record a length victory in a time of 56.90 seconds.

In 1999, Aegon committed to a long term sponsorship which reflected in the name of the event. This sponsorship ended in 2009. In 2011 Churchill Downs administration renamed the event to the current name, Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes.

The event was first classified as Grade III in 2001 and a Grade II race in 2020.

In 2015, Power Alert set the course record of 0.55.17.

In 2019, the distance of the event was increased to furlongs.

Records

Speed record furlongs: 1:02.20 - Yellow Card (2026) 5 furlongs: 55.17 - Power Alert (2015)

Margins lengths - World of Trouble (2019)

Most wins by a jockey 3 - Julien Leparoux (2006, 2010, 2015) 3 - Irad Ortiz Jr. (2021, 2022, 2024)

Most wins by a trainer 3 - W. Bret Calhoun (2008, 2009, 2014) 3 - Steven M. Asmussen (2007, 2011, 2024)

Most wins by an owner 2 - Mike Cloonan (2001, 2005) 2 - Carl R. Moore Management (2008, 2009) 2 - Martin Racing Stable (2008, 2014) 2 - Heiligbrodt Racing Stable (2007, 2024)

Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefTwin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes2026Yellow Card5Flavien PratMichael W. McCarthyJames M. Daniell furlongs1:02.20$594,600II2025Think Big4 Ben Curtis Michael Stidham Godolphin furlongs1:02.35 $569,600II2024Cogburn 5Irad Ortiz Jr.Steven M. Asmussen Clark O. Brewster, William L. & Corinne Heiligbrodt furlongs1:03.16$569,770II2023Nobals 4Gerardo CorralesLarry RivelliPatricia's Hope furlongs1:02.45$500,000II2022Arrest Me Red 4Irad Ortiz Jr.Wesley A. WardLael Stables furlongs1:04.18$500,000II2021Fast Boat 6Irad Ortiz Jr.Joe SharpBrad Grady furlongs1:03.29$250,000II2020Diamond Oops5Florent GerouxPatrick BianconeDiamond 100 Racing Club, Amy E Dunne Et Al furlongs1:04.18$250,000II2019World of Trouble4Manuel FrancoJason ServisMichael Dubb, Madaket Stables & Bethlehem Stables furlongs1:03.97$250,000II2018Will Call4Shaun BridgmohanBrad H. CoxKlein Racing5 furlongs0:56.68$200,000III2017Green Mask6Javier CastellanoBrad H. CoxAbdullah Saeed Almaddah5 furlongs0:58.02$150,000III2016Rocket Heat4Flavien PratVann BelvoirMike Sanchez5 furlongs0:56.47$150,000III2015Power Alert (AUS)5Julien R. LeparouxBrian A. LynchJames Covello, AJ Suited Racing Stable & Brian A. Lynch5 furlongs0:55.17$150,000III2014Marchman4Robby AlbaradoW. Bret CalhounMartin Racing Stable5 furlongs0:56.04$167,550III20135Eduardo CaramoriStud Sampaio5 furlongs0:57.01$138,250III2012Great Attack5Joel RosarioWesley A. WardHouyhnhnm Stable5 furlongs0:56.61$150,350III2011Regally Ready4Corey NakataniSteven M. AsmussenVinery Stables5 furlongs0:56.57$111,200IIIChurchill Downs Turf Sprint Stakes2010Silver Timber7Julien R. LeparouxChad C. BrownMichael Dubb & High Grade Racing Stable Dubb 5 furlongs0:55.45$119,100IIIAegon Turf Sprint Stakes2009Chamberlain Bridge5Garrett K. GomezW. Bret CalhounCarl Moore Management5 furlongs0:57.06$112,800III2008Mr. Nightlinger4Jamie TheriotW. Bret CalhounMartin Racing Stable & Carl Moore Management5 furlongs0:56.18$126,400III2007Gaff5John R. VelazquezSteven M. AsmussenHeiligbrodt Racing Stable5 furlongs0:56.84$169,050III2006Man Of Illusion (AUS)5Julien R. LeparouxPatrick L. BianconeA. C. Cotter, D H K Investments, R. Goldbloom et al.5 furlongs0:56.28$116,000III2005Mighty Beau6Pat ValenzuelaJeff Mullins Mike Cloonan & Anthony Carolan 5 furlongs0:56.18$113,500III2004Lydgate4Pat DayEoin G. HartyDarley Stable5 furlongs0:56.56$114,700III2003Fiscally Speaking4Jon CourtCarl A. NafzgerJanis R. Whitman5 furlongs0:56.01$115,300III2002Testify5Eddie DelahoussayeRandy L. MorseRobert S. Mitchell Trust5 furlongs0:57.39$121,300III2001Morluc4Robby AlbaradoRandy L. MorseMichael Cloonan5 furlongs0:56.60$113,700III2000Bold Fact5Richard MiglioreJohn C. KimmelJuddmonte Farms5 furlongs0:56.37$121,500 Listed 1999Howbaddouwantit4Mike E. SmithLarry F. Hall5 furlongs0:57.03$115,300 Listed Churchill Downs Turf Sprint Stakes1998Indian Rocket (GB)4Gary L. StevensKiaran P. McLaughlinShadwell Racing5 furlongs0:57.32$122,500 Listed 1997Sandtrap4Alex O. SolisBen D. A. CecilEstate of Robert E. Hibbert5 furlongs0:56.51$115,700 Listed 1996Danjur4Jerry D. BaileyNeil D. Drysdale Aaron U. Jones 5 furlongs0:56.09$88,125 Listed 1995Long Suit4Willie MartinezAngel O. Montano Sr.Larry Telle5 furlongs0:56.90$87,825 Listed

See also List of American and Canadian Graded races

External Sites $500,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint presented by Cohere Health (Grade II)

References