Led by Blue Grass, Keeneland lists upcoming stakes probables
Less than a week before entries for the 95th running of the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G2) are taken Wednesday, April 3, a full gate of 14 runners might face the starter for the April 6 race.
According to Keeneland Stakes Coordinator Tiffany Bourque, 13 horses are considered probable for the 1 1/8-mile dirt test with another five deemed as possible starters. The Toyota Blue Grass carries 170 qualifying points for the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) on a 100-40-20-10 basis to the first four finishers.
Heading the list of probables is Tommie Lewis, David Bernsen and Magadalena Racing’s Signalman. Trained by Kenny McPeek, Signalman was second in last fall’s Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) in his lone Keeneland start.
Other probables include Admire (trained by Dale Romans), Chase the Ghost (Dallas Stewart), Chess Chief (Stewart), Dream Maker(Mark Casse), Hoffa’s Union (Casse), Lucky Lee (John Servis), Market King (D. Wayne Lukas), Mr. Ankeny (Romans), Sir Winston(Casse), So Alive (Todd Pletcher), Somelikeithotbrown (Mike Maker) and Vekoma (George Weaver).
Considered as possible are Current (Pletcher), Galilean (Jerry Hollendorfer), Joevia (Greg Sacco), Our Braintrust (Casse) and Tax(Danny Gargan).
Also scheduled for April 6 is the 82nd running of the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. The race carries 170 qualifying points for the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 3.
Topping the roster of eight probables are D. J. Stable and Cash is King’s champion Jawyalk and Three Chimneys Farm and Fern Circle Stables’ Restless Rider, the 1-2 finishers in last fall’s Tito’s Handmade Vodka Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Churchill Downs.
John Servis trains Jaywalk, who arrived at Keeneland on Tuesday from her winter base in Florida. Two-time Ashland winner Kenny McPeek trains Restless Rider, who won the Darley Alcibiades (G1) here last fall.
Other fillies considered as probable for the race are Bell’s the One (Neil Pessin), Bizwhacks (Doug O’Neill), Chocolate Kisses (Mark Casse), Feedback (Chad Brown), Lady Kate (Eddie Kenneally) and Needs Supervision (Jeremiah O’Dwyer). Considered as possible is Orra Moor (Pletcher).
OPENING WEEK STAKES PROBABLES
PerBourque, here are the prospective field for those races:
$100,000 PALISADES TURF SPRINT (Entries taken Monday, April 1; race Thursday, April 4) – Bulletin (trainer Todd Pletcher), Dom Carlos (IRE) (Mark Casse), Gladiator King (Jaime Mejia), Real News (Al Stall Jr.), Skychief (Mike Maker), Strike Silver (Casse), Uncapped (Brendan Walsh), Vivid Verse (Joe Sharp) and Yes I Am Free (Casse). Possible: Blame the Frog (Ben Colebrook), Joyful Heart (Brian Lynch) and Red Island (IRE) (Phil D’Amato).
$150,000 KENTUCKY UTILITIES TRANSYLVANIA (G3) (Entries taken Tuesday, April 2; race Friday, April 5 – Dunph (Mike Maker), Go Away (Eddie Kenneally), Henley’s Joy (Maker), Louder Than Bombs (David Fawkes), More Ice (Jerry Hollendorfer), Spectacular Gem (James Baker), The Black Album (FR) (Rodolphe Brisset) and Weekly Call (Doug O’Neill).
$300,000 MADISON (G1) (Entries taken Wednesday, April 3; race Saturday, April 6) – Amy’s Challenge (Mac Robertson), Cathedral Reader (Dallas Stewart), Late Night Pow Wow (Javier Contreras), Shamrock Rose (Mark Casse), Spiced Perfection (Peter Miller) and Sultry (Eddie Kenneally).
$250,000 COMMONWEALTH (G3) (Entries taken Wednesday, April 3; race Saturday, April 6) – Bobby’s Wicked One (Al Stall Jr.), Copper Town (Todd Pletcher), Limousine Liberal (Ben Colebrook), Runaway Ghost (Todd Fincher), Still Having Fun (Tim Keefe), Storm Advisory (Anthony Quartarolo), Uno Mas Modelo (Quartarolo) and Warrior’s Club (D. Wayne Lukas).
$200,000 SHAKERTOWN (G2) (Entries taken Wednesday, April 3; race Saturday, April 6) – Angaston (Lon Wiggins), Captain Scotty (Peter Miller), Chaos Theory (Brendan Walsh), Imprimis (Joe Orseno), Jazzy Times (Wes Hawley), Latest Revenge (Greg Foley), Richard’s Boy (Miller) and Shakhimat (Roger Attfield).
$200,000 APPALACHIAN (G2) PRESENTED BY JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION (Entries taken Thursday, April 4; race Sunday, April 7) – Beautiful Ballad (Mark Casse), Catch a Thrill (Casse), Clause (Chad Brown), Hard Legacy (Norm Casse), Primela (FR) (Cherie DeVaux), Princesa Carolina (Kenny McPeek) and Regal Glory (Brown).
$150,000 BEAUMONT (G3) PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SELECT (Entries taken Thursday, April 4; race Sunday, April 7) – Bold Script (Stuart Simon), Fancy Dress Party (Ben Colebrook), Mother (Bob Baffert), Power Gal (JPN) (Mark Casse) and Queen of Beas (Jorge Abreu).