Top three-year-olds line up in Blue Grass

Last updated: 4/14/05 9:12 PM

slight 9-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday’s $750,000 Blue Grass S. (G1) at
Keeneland. The undefeated bay colt, who has won all three of his career starts
in front-running fashion, comes off a romping four-length victory in the 1
1/16-mile Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds in his three-year-old debut on
March 12. High Limit will break from post 5 under regular rider Ramon Dominguez.

Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner SUN KING (Charismatic), until recently the top
Kentucky Derby (G1) contender trained by Nick Zito, is listed at 2-1 on the
morning line. A close third-place finisher in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1)
last fall, he impressively won his first start of the season at Gulfstream Park
before strolling to a front-running score at 1-9 in the Tampa Bay Derby last
out. Sun King will line up right next to High Limit in post 6. Edgar Prado
rides.

Consolidator will try to continue his winning ways, first at Keeneland then in the Derby
(Horsephotos.com)

CONSOLIDATOR (Storm Cat), trained by D. Wayne Lukas, dueled for the early
lead before drawing off to a 6 1/2-length triumph in the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe
S. (G2) at Santa Anita in his last start. In his only race over this track, the
chestnut colt rolled to a daylight victory in the 1 1/16-mile Breeders’ Futurity
(G1) last fall. Consolidator, who drew post 4, will start on the outside of the
speedy SPANISH CHESTNUT (Horse Chestnut [SAf]), a front-running winner of the
San Rafael S. (G2) in his seasonal debut.

The Todd Pletcher-trained BANDINI (Fusaichi Pegasus) closed nicely for
runner-up honors in the Fountain of Youth S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park, but missed
the Florida Derby (G1) due to a bruised right front foot. The half-million
dollar yearling purchase will break from the outside post under John Velazquez,
who could have ridden Afleet Alex in Saturday’s $1 million Arkansas Derby (G2).

CLOSING ARGUMENT (Successful Appeal) has not started since winning the
nine-furlong Holy Bull S. (G3) on February 5. MR SWORD (Rizzi) smoked five
furlongs in a bullet :57 4/5 on Tuesday and gets a rider change to Jerry Bailey.

The field for the 81st running of the Blue Grass, which has produced 18
winners of the Kentucky Derby, from the inside out, with jockeys and
morning-line odds, is Mr Sword, 30-1; Closing Argument, Cornelio
Velasquez, 10-1; Spanish Chestnut, Gary Stevens, 15-1; Consolidator, Rafael
Bejarano, 7-2; High Limit; Sun King; Bandini, 4-1.

All starters will carry 123 pounds.