In the $100,000 Kentucky Cup Juvenile, a field of ten 2-year-olds went 1 1/16 miles on Polytrack. Texas Fever stayed close to the pace early, as 34-1 outsider Delaware Manor battled with 36-1 longest shot Citizen John through early fractions of 24.44 and 48.84 before both dropped from contention. This allowed Texas Fever to inherit the lead on the far turn through 3/4 in 1:13.08 opening up a 1 1/2 length lead with a furlong remaining. Entering the lane, jockey Chris DeCarlo took Chitoz out five wide as the favorite put in a strong rally through the stretch. However, he was left with too much ground to make up late as Texas Fever held on to win by a neck in 1:44.95. It was another 2 1/2 lengths back to 5-1 Blackberry Road in third.
Winning jockey Julien Leparoux said, "We were close up and relaxed early. I tried to stay inside with him, but a horse inside of us took us wide, so I stayed wide. He was a little green in the stretch, but took off again when I asked him."
Trainer Mike Stidham added, "He can be a tough, bullheaded horse. He's never been really bad, but he can be tough. He's a true colt. We don't have any set plans. Breeders' Cup hasn't been in our minds, but after a nice win like that, you have to think about it. He has a nice record and he has the pedigree. We have a lot to look forward to with him."
Results chart
