The Kentucky Cup Classic Stakes is a Grade 3 American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged four and older, contested over 1 1/8 miles on the synthetic surface at Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky. It is one of the signature older-horse events of the Turfway meet and regularly attracts experienced runners with strong form over Tapeta.
The 2026 Kentucky Cup Classic Stakes is scheduled for March 21 at Turfway Park, carrying a purse of $300,000 and run over 1 1/8 miles on the synthetic surface.
In the 2025 Kentucky Cup Classic Stakes, Mercante delivered a strong performance to win the Grade 3 event over 1 1/8 miles on Tapeta at Turfway Park. The race often serves as a key spring target for older synthetic specialists and has produced horses that transition successfully into major graded company later in the season.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mercante | Joseph D. Ramos | Brian Knippenberg | 1:49.80 |
| 2024 | Cellist | Luis Saez | George R. Arnold II | 1:49.33 |
| 2023 | Wolfie's Dynaghost | John R. Velazquez | Jonathan Thomas | 1:50.90 |
| 2022 | King Cause | Manuel Franco | Michael J. Maker | 1:48.63 |
| 2021 | Visitant | Deshawn L. Parker | William E. Morey | 1:50.12 |
| 2020 | Nun The Less | Rodney A. Prescott | Cipriano Contreras | 1:48.80 |
