Betting With, and Against, Rhetorical in the Turf Mile Stakes

Nine grass specialists will run eight furlongs on the Keeneland sod in Saturday’s $1.25 million Turf Mile (G1). Defending champ #3 Rhetorical (2-1) has been installed as the morning-line choice for the important tilt. 

Rhetorical – With

• $10 exacta 3 with 7,9 ($20)
• $2 trifecta key 3 with 7,8,9 ($12)
• $1 superfecta 3 with 7 with 8,9 with all ($12)

Rhetorical – Against

• $20 win #7 Lake Forest ($20)
• $1 trifecta 7,9 with 3,7,8,9 with 3,7,8,9 ($12)
• $.50-cent trifecta 7 with 3,8,9 with all ($10.50)

Trained by William Walden, the dual Grade 1 winner and New York-bred has been less consistent in 2026 compared to his excellent sophomore season, but the Not This Time gelding has also faced Grade 1 foes in every run this year and has performed well in the process. The five-year-old gelding has trained forwardly in preparation for his return to Lexington and will be close up from the opening bell under the guidance of Irad Ortiz, Jr. 

I feel that European invader #7 Lake Forest (4-1) is well-meant for his U. S. debut and could be the one for conditioner William Haggas. The Group-2-winning gelding has been keeping excellent company in Europe lately and was last seen finishing second behind the superb Notable Speech at York on Aug. 22. The No Nay Never chestnut has performed well on all kinds of turf in his lifetime and brings regular rider Cieren Fallon with him for the ride. 

Chad Brown’s #9 Zulu Kingdom (3-1) led at every call when toppling a fine cast in the Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) on the course in the spring and will make his second local appearance in this endeavor. The Irish-bred four-year-old has won eight of his 12 career assignments to date, and the outside draw will give pilot Jose Ortiz options early in the heat, too. The versatile ridgling would not be a surprise. 

#8 Kupuna (15-1) might be more of one to consider for the exotics in the tilt, but the Norm Casse gelding has been in fine form since focusing on grass racing since November and could surprise at a price. The Hard Spun seven-year-old can thrive from up close or from well off the pace, and he has room to improve while making just his second showing since February. Tyler Gaffalione inherits the ride.