Kathaka 'used to big fields,' faces another in Blue Grass Stakes

West Point Thoroughbreds’ Kanthaka will try to give Southern California-based runners a second consecutive Grade 2, $1 million Blue Grass Stakes victory here Saturday. Last year, the maiden Irap was the lone West Coast-based entrant in the $1 million race, which he won.

Kanthaka, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, arrived at Keeneland on Wednesday and made his first appearance on the track Thursday morning before the renovation break.

“He visited the Paddock and the gate, so we got that out of the way,” Hollendorfer assistant Dan Ward said of the Jimmy Creed colt’s activity before galloping 1½ miles under Cecily Evans.

Kanthaka was entered in the Toyota Blue Grass because of Hollendorfer’s other Saturday action.

“We already had Instilled Regard for the Santa Anita Derby (G1),” Ward said. “We had looked at Aqueduct (for Saturday’s Grade 2 Wood Memorial), but we got a good rider (Julien Leparoux) here and that was a factor for us. When Julien rode in California, he won some stakes for us.”

Leparoux, a two-time Toyota Blue Grass winner, was aboard Irap last year.

Kanthaka has won two of four starts. He earned his first win in his second start on Dec. 26 and followed with a victory in the 7-furlong San Vicente (G2).

“He is used to big fields,” Ward said, referring to the 14 horses slated to go in the gate Saturday. “There were 12 starters when he broke his maiden and he had lots of trouble in that race.”

In his lone start around two turns, Kanthaka finished third in 1 1/16-mile San Felipe (G2) in his most recent start March 10.

“You look at the head-on shot and he falls on his head coming out of the gate,” Ward said. “He lost his position and it is hard to gain ground at Santa Anita when that happens. Plus, those were two pretty good horses (Bolt d’Oro and McKinzie) that finished in front of him.”

Ward is hoping this trip to Keeneland works out as well as his most recent trip here. That came in the fall of 2015 when he was here with eventual champion Songbird for her victory in the 14 Hands Winery Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

In other activities of Toyota Blue Grass horses at Keeneland...

After visiting the Paddock, e Five Racing Thoroughbreds and Stonestreet Stables’ champion and 2-1 morning-line favorite Good Magic galloped about 1 3/8 miles under exercise rider Walter Malasquez. Chad Brown trains Good Magic.

Blended Citizen and Arawak, who are trained by Doug O’Neill, each galloped 1½ miles after the break with exercise rider Jonny Garcia aboard. Blended Citizen is owned by Greg Hall and SAYJAY Racing, and Arawak is owned by C T R Stables, R3 Racing and Steven Keh.

Three Diamonds Farm’s California Night visited the starting gate and galloped under Katie Clawson before the break. Trained by Mike Maker, California Night arrived at Keeneland after training hours Wednesday from the Trackside Training Center in Louisville. …

John C. Oxley’s Flameaway galloped for trainer Mark Casse, with rider Carlos Nieto aboard. He is expected to jog or gallop tomorrow. …

Lothenbach Stables’ Gotta Go walked the shedrow at trainer Ian Wilkes’ barn. …

Ron Paolucci, Ashley Quartarolo, Raquel Ritchie and Cristina Ritchie’s Machismo galloped 1½ miles under jockey Jake Radosevich for trainer Anthony Quartarolo.

After Machismo drew post 13 in the Toyota Blue Grass, Quartarolo expressed concern about the wide post. The More Than Ready colt might not run in the race because of it.

“We’ll see how it plays out,” Quartarolo said, “see if there are any scratches, see how the weather’s gonna be, the track condition. We’ll make a decision at that time. If worse comes to worse, we’ll go to the Arkansas Derby (G1 on April 14 at Oaklawn Park).”

Meanwhile, Quartarolo is pleased with how Machismo is training at Keeneland.

“He loves it. He gets over it great,” Quartarolo said. “I just wish things were a little different because I’d love to run here. Love it (here). Never had been to Keeneland. I don’t want to leave. Can someone buy me a home here?”

Michael Tabor, Bridlewood Farm, Mrs. John Magnier and Derrick Smith’s Marconi arrived at Keeneland at 4 a.m. Thursday following a van ride from Palm Beach Downs training center in South Florida. Trained by three-time Toyota Blue Grass winner Todd Pletcher, Marconi is scheduled to make his first on-track appearance Friday morning after the break. …

WinStar Farm, China Horse Club and SF Racing’s Quip had his usual gallop of about 1½ miles on the main track with trainer Rodolphe Brisset in the saddle. Brisset rode the Distorted Humor colt through the Paddock prior to his exercise that included a visit to the starting gate. Brisset’s wife, Brooke, aboard the brown-and-white companion mount Jonas, accompanied them through most of the routine. …

Robert Baker and William Mack’s Sporting Chance walked the shedrow at trainer D. Wayne Lukas’ barn. Sporting Chance arrived at Keeneland from Oaklawn Park Wednesday afternoon.

Jackpot Farm’s Zing Zang made his first appearance of the spring, galloping before the renovation break. The Steve Asmussen trainee arrived at Keeneland from Oaklawn Park on Tuesday night.