O'Neill to field two contenders in Keeneland's Blue Grass Stakes

Jack Sisterson, assistant to trainer Doug O’Neill, said Monday morning that plans are to enter R3 Racing, Steven Keh and CTR Stables’ Arawak for Saturday's running of the Grade 2, $1 million Blue Grass Stakes.

“It looks like we are going to enter both,” Sisterson said, referring to Arawak and Greg Hall and SAYJAY Racing’s Blended Citizen.

Blended Citizen and Arawak finished first and third, respectively, in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park on March 17. The two colts arrived at Keeneland on March 26 and worked 5 furlongs together here Saturday, with Blended Citizen being clocked in 1:01 and Arawak in 1:01.20.

Both colts returned to the track Monday morning, jogging over surface rated as “good” with exercise rider Jonny Garcia aboard each.

A full gate of 14 is expected for the Toyota Blue Grass, which carries 170 points toward the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) on a 100-40-20-10 basis for the first four finishers. Others targeting the race include California Night, Determinant, Flameaway, Free Drop Billy, Good Magic, Gotta Go, Heartfullofstars, Machismo, Quip, Sporting Chance, Tiz Mischief and Zing Zang. Kanthaka remains a possible starter.

On Monday morning at Oaklawn Park, Robert Baker and William Mack’s Sporting Chance worked a half-mile in :48.40 over a fast track for trainer D. Wayne Lukas, and Jackpot Farm’s Zing Zang covered a half-mile in :51.60 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Lothenbach Stables’ Gotta Go is expected to work Tuesday morning at Keeneland for trainer Ian Wilkes with regular rider Chris Landeros slated to handle the work, according to Wilkes assistant Nicola Ward.

Loooch Racing Stable and Ashley Quartarolo’s Machismo arrived at Keeneland Sunday and is scheduled to go to the track Tuesday morning. Trainer Anthony Quartarolo is scheduled to be here Tuesday morning.

Agave Racing Stable, Bran Jam Stable, Little Red Feather Racing and David Clark’s Heartfullofstars worked 5 furlongs in 1:01 Sunday morning at Santa Anita for trainer Phil D’Amato. The colt is scheduled to ship to Keeneland on Wednesday.

Scheduled to arrive Monday at Keeneland from winter bases in Florida were e Five Racing Thoroughbreds and Stonestreet Stables’ Good Magic for trainer Chad Brown and John Oxley’s duo of Flameaway and Determinant, trained by Mark Casse.

Trainer Rodolphe Brisset reported that Quip came out of his 5-furlong breeze in 1:00.40 here Sunday fine and was scheduled to return to the track Tuesday. Quip is owned by China Horse Club International, WinStar Farm and SF Racing.

All Toyota Blue Grass entrants have to be on the grounds at Keeneland by noon ET Thursday.