Saturday’s Kentucky Derby (G1) is the center of attention, but Churchill
Downs’ undercard is packed with five graded stakes races filled with quality
horses.
The $400,000
Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) drew a terrific field of 11
turf horses, headlined by multiple Grade 1 runner-up ENGLISH CHANNEL (Smart
Strike). Trained by Todd Pletcher, the four-year-old colt tuned up for the 1
1/8-mile Woodford Reserve with a sharp score in the Canadian Turf H. at
Gulfstream Park. Other contenders include Group 2 winner CACIQUE (Ire) (Danehill),
who hails from an outstanding female family and placed in three Group 1 events
before being sent to Bobby Frankel’s shedrow; Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) hero
MILK IT MICK (GB) (Millkom); Gulfstream Park Breeders’ Cup H. (G1) victor
EINSTEIN (Brz) (Spend a Buck); and the classy filly GORELLA (Fr) (Grape Tree
Road [GB]), who will try males for trainer Patrick Biancone off an easy
allowance score in her seasonal debut at Keeneland.
In post position order, the Woodford Reserve contestants are COOL CONDUCTOR
(Stravinsky), Cornelio Velasquez, 122; PERFECT DRIFT (Dynaformer), Mark Guidry,
116; Cacique, Pat Valenzuela, 122; Milk It Mick, Kent Desormeaux, 126; FORT
PRADO (El Prado [Ire]), Robby Albarado, 124; Einstein, Rafael Bejarano, 126;
SILVER TREE (Hennessy), Javier Castellano, 122; HONOR IN WAR (Lord at War [Arg]),
David Flores, 126; English Channel, Garrett Gomez, 122; GOOD REWARD (Storm Cat),
Edgar Prado, 126; and Gorella, Julien Leparoux, 117.
The $250,000
Humana Distaff H. (G1) attracted a field of nine, and 122-pound
highweight BEHAVING BADLY (Pioneering) will bring a four-race winning streak
into the seven-furlong test. The five-year-old mare has reeled off recent wins
in the Santa Monica H. (G1) and Las Flores H. (G3) for trainer Bob Baffert.
She’ll be joined in the lineup by her uncoupled stablemate PUSSYCAT DOLL (Real
Quiet), a 5 3/4-length winner of the La Brea S. (G1) two starts back. SPLENDID
BLENDED (Unbridled’s Song), who in her second start back from a lengthy layoff
posted an impressive 3 1/4-length win in the Shirley Jones Breeders’ Cup H. (G2)
last out, is a top contender for trainer Bill Mott.
EASTERN LILY (Eastern Echo) will lead the post parade under a 109-pound
impost that includes John McKee. Next comes MALIBU MINT (Malibu Moon), Leparoux,
113; LEAVE ME ALONE (Bold Badgett), Kent Desormeaux, 117; NOSSA CANCAO (Brz)
(Fast Gold), Octavio Vergara, 113; Splendid Blended, Prado, 119; ATLAS VALLEY
(Capote), Castellano, 114; Behaving Badly, Victor Espinoza; Pussycat Doll,
Gomez, 119; and BENDING STRINGS (American Chance), Corey Nakatani, 115.
Eleven sprinters will square off in the seven-furlong, $200,000
Churchill
Downs H. (G2), and top contenders include BATTLE WON (Honour and Glory),
VICARAGE (Vicar) and CHARGING INDIAN (Indian Charlie). The $100,000
Churchill
Downs Distaff Turf Mile S. (G3) drew 11 females and is exciting on a couple of
fronts. Multiple Grade 2 queen WEND (Pulpit), a smashing winner in the Jenny
Wiley S. (G2) most recently, is the top draw, and Grade 1 winner SIS CITY (Slew
City Slew) will make her 2006 and turf debut. The $100,000
La Troienne S. (G3),
which has nine three-year-old fillies at 7 1/2 furlongs, will be the first start
this year for Grade 1 winner ADIEU (El Corredor).