Smiling Tiger Versus Apriority at Churchill

Recent Count Fleet hero Smiling Tiger takes on sharp sprinter Apriority and ten others in a salty renewal of the seven furlong Grade 2 Churchill Downs Stakes on the Kentucky Derby undercard.

Southern California based 4-year-old colt Smiling Tiger has been part of the trifecta in all fourteen of his lifetime starts and was full of run when last seen at Oaklawn Park on April 14. Joel Rosario sticks with the Jeff Bonde trainee.

Breaking alongside of the aforementioned favorite is Apriority. The David Fawkes runner continues to train forwardly at his Calder base and has fired exacta shots in each of his six conventional dirt starts. Ramon Dominguez hops aboard the tactical threat.

Captain Cherokee traded decisions with Smiling Tiger at Santa Anita and exits three straight runner-up efforts in the graded sprint ranks. He's a prominent throughout player in this spot and his 6-1 morning line price is enticing.

Extended sprint specialist Capt. Candyman Can is 5-for-5 at seven panels and he owns two wins at Churchill Downs as well. Calvin Borel hops aboard the 9-2 shot.

Aikenite exits a romping graded Polytrack score at Keeneland and the sharp colt handles dirt. He will have to work out a trip from the rail.   

Bob Baffert has 10-1 shot Mythical Power ready to roll. He ran well in both extended sprints at Santa Anita earlier this year and is a fresh stalking threat.

Here Comes Ben has not been seen since flopping as the favorite in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. He loves seven panels and is training well for his first start in more than six months.

Noble's Promise was a disappointing 5th as the favorite in the Malibu at Santa Anita and has not been seen since that Dec 26 grade one sprint. He looked good winning a local sprint stakes event last November and is capable of firing off the bench.

The remaining entrants are Ibboyee, Chocolate Candy, Delong Road, and Le Grand Cru.