Friday’s $200,000 Perryville S. (G3) won’t have Afleet Alex (Northern Afleet),
but a solid field of eight sophomores will square off over the about
seven-furlong Beard Course at Keeneland. SOCIAL PROBATION (Jules) enters off runner-up
finishes in the King’s Bishop S. (G1) and Amsterdam S. (G2), the former against
sprint sensation Lost in the Fog (Lost Soldier), and the Carl Nafzger charge is
a top candidate to earn his first stakes victory.
PINPOINT (Peaks and Valleys) recorded a commendable score in the 1 1/16-mile Sir Barton
S. at Pimlico earlier this year and will attempt to regain his winning ways on Friday.
Trainer Nick Zito will seek back-to-back wins in the Perryville after saddling
Commentator (Distorted Humor) to a seven-length triumph last year. Todd Pletcher will send out VICARAGE (Vicar), and Harvey Vanier’s Grade 3-winning
STRAIGHT LINE (Boundary) merits serious consideration.
Gotham S. (G3) runner-up PAVO (Marquetry) will lead the post parade under a
120-pound impost that includes Alan Garcia. Next comes Vicarage, John Velazquez,
120; Straight Line, Shaun Bridgmohan, 123; HUMOR AT LAST (Distorted Humor),
Larry Sterling Jr., 120; Social Probation, Calvin Borel, 117; AWESOME TWIST
(Awesome Again), Javier Castellano, 117; Pinpoint, Rafael Bejarano, 120; and
DILIGENT PROSPECT (Diligence), Jon Court, 120.