Atigun returned to the turf two starts back, defeating a salty group of optional claiming rivals on the Kentucky Derby undercard, and just missed with a rallying second in the Grade 3 Louisville Handicap on May 25. The Kenny McPeek-trained colt will seek his first stakes victory when he lines up for Saturday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Colonial Turf Cup at Colonial Downs.
The 2013 Colonial Turf Cup will mark the 9th edition of the Turf Cup, which serves as a prep race of sorts for the Virginia Derby. The Turf Cup, which has a Grade II ranking, is contested at the distance of 1 3/16 miles over the Secretariat Turf Course.
The stakes action kicks off with the $75,000 Da Hoss (race 5) at a mile on turf and Hudson Steele is the top draw in the seven-horse field. A Grade 2 winner last season, the six-year-old gelding will be making his first start for Pletcher since a sixth in the Grade 1 Man ‘o War 11 months ago.
Special Post Time on Saturday at Colonial Downs – 5 PM (EDT)
Colonial Turf Cup Past Winners
| Year | Winner | Time | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2012 | Turbo Compressor | 01:55.1 | Joe Bravo | Todd Pletcher |
| 2011 | Rahystrada | 01:54.3 | Sheldon Russell | Byron G. Hughes |
| 2010 | Paddy O’Prado | 1:54:20 | Kent J. Desormeaux | Dale Romans |
| 2009 | Battle of Hastings | 01:57.2 | Tyler Baze | Jeff Mullins |
| 2008 | Sailor’s Cap | 02:02.4 | Alan Garcia | James J. Toner |
| 2007 | Summer Doldrums | 01:55.3 | Jose Lezcano | Richard A. Violette Jr. |
| 2006 | Showing Up | 01:53.0 | Cornelio Velazquez | Barclay Tagg |
| 2005 | English Channel | 1:56:37 | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher |