'Big, Powerful' Tawny Port Tries For Ky Downs Breakthrough In Marathon Bowling Green Gold Cup

Peachtree Stable's three-time graded stakes-winning turf marathoner Tawny Port will pursue his first triumph at Kentucky Downs in a redrawn edition of closing day Wednesday's $750,000 Bowling Green Gold Cup Invitational going 2 1/16 miles. Trained by Miguel Clement, the 7-year-old Tawny Port captured the two-mile Belmont Gold Cup (G2) on June 4 at Saratoga Race Course by 2½ lengths to register a career-best 101 Beyer Speed Figure. The triumph was his first trip to the winner's circle since the 2023 John's Call at Saratoga at the 1⅝-mile distance, which he won by 3 ½ lengths. Tawny Port, who finished seventh in the 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1), won the Grade 3 Lexington at Keeneland and Grade 3 Ohio Derby at Thistledown over the dirt during his 3-year-old season for original trainer Brad Cox. In addition to his graded scores, Tawny Port has placed in nine graded events, including last year's Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine when second beaten a nose. With a 0-2-1 record from three starts at Kentucky Downs, Tawny Port was second to Ole Crazy Bone in last year's Grade 2 Kentucky Turf Cup only one week after finishing second in last year's running of the Bowling Green Gold Cup. Two years ago, he finished third beaten 1 ½ lengths in the Kentucky Turf Cup. 'He has an affinity for running in these turf marathon races,' said Clement, who won Saturday's Nashville Derby (G2) with Caroline St. Beat. 'I believe he'll get firm turf, which is what he needs. He was very impressive in the Belmont Gold Cup.' Tawny Port enters from a fifth-place finish over yielding turf in the Grade 1 Christophe Clement Turf on August 15 at Saratoga, a race that honors Clement's late father. 'Last time, the turf was soft and I think that took away a little bit of our punch,' Clement said. 'He's a big, powerful horse and he doesn't do as well over heavy ground, which given his size is not surprising. I think he's training forwardly. He can really run.' Tawny Port boasts career earnings in excess of $2.3 million with an overall record of 6-6-5 from 33 starts. Breaking from post 4, Tawny Port will be piloted by Flavien Prat. After capturing the 2024 edition, Limited Liability will return to Kentucky Downs in hopes for a non-consecutive second conquest of this event. A third-generation Kentucky homebred for owner Stuart Janney III, Limited Liability led through every point of call of the 2024 edition–then run as the Nashville Green Gold Cup–en route to an 8¼-length romp and a career-high 102 Beyer Speed Figure. The Bowling Green Gold Cup will be Limited Liability's first start since November, when he ran fifth in the Grade 2 Red Smith at Aqueduct. Although winless in six starts since, the 7-year-old son of Kitten's Joy placed in three graded races following his last victory. He is trained by Shug McGaughey. Jockey Luis Saez will ride from post 5. Completing the field are Goldeneye [post 1, Edwin Maldonado], Passing Game [post 2, Tyler Gaffalione], Greystone [post 3, Florent Geroux], Navy Seal [post 6, Jose Ortiz], Truly Quality [post 7, John Velazquez], and Lambeth [post 8, Brian Hernandez, Jr.]. Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved