AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
| KENTUCKY S.
(G3), 8TH-CD, $150,000, 2YO, 5F, 4:14 P.M. EDT, 5-1 |
|
| 1 |
MERKEL, 2, c, by Forest Wildcat—Lady Blockbuster, by Silent Screen O-Heiligbrodt Racing Stable; B-Robert B. Berger & James E. Ballard (Ky) |
| 2 |
MINE ALL MINE, 2, f, by Belong to MePulcinella, by Unbridled O-Mike Schmeling Riley McDonald Mike Bradley; B-Fox Straus Kentucky LLC (Ky) |
| 3 |
GARDEN DISTRICT, 2, f, by Dixie UnionBrisquette, by Unbridled’s Song O-Twin Creeks Racing Stable; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (Ky) |
| 4 |
DREAM OF KAYLEE, 2, c, by Cactus RidgeWitchkin, by Salem O-Schroeder Farm LLC; B-J M Stables Inc. |
| 5 |
ESSENCEOFTHEMOON, 2, c, by Malibu MoonMerryland Missy, by Citidancer O-Frank Henson; B-Country Life Farm & Merrylan Missy LLC (Md) |
| 6 |
RUN AWAY AND HIDE, 2, c, by City ZipJilted, by Runaway Groom O-Ronald K Kirk John C Bates & Michael Rio; B-Ron Kirk Joint Ventures & Michael Riordan (Ky) |
| 7 |
DICEY RILEY, 2, c, by HennessyMy Kai, by In Excess (Ire) O-Wesley A Ward; B-Wesley A Ward (Ca) |
| 8 |
FINAL JUDGEMENT, 2, c, by Northern AfleetBest Judgement, by Demons Begone O-Jeff & Shawn Staddard; B-Griffin William T. Mr. & Mrs (Wa) |
A precocious group of juveniles will line up for Thursday’s $150,000 Kentucky
S. (G3), and we’re going to give a slight edge to the Maryland shipper
ESSENCEOFTHEMOON (Malibu Moon), who is listed at a playable 6-1 on the morning
line.
Trained by Tim Salzman, Essenceofthemoon dueled on the outside early, then
drew off to an 8 1/4-length victory going 4 1/2 furlongs when unveiled as the
2-5 favorite at Laurel Park on April 12. The bay colt breezed three furlongs
under the Twin Spires last week and has the look of a good one.
The Todd Pletcher-trained GARDEN DISTRICT (Dixie Union) stalked dueling
leaders, then advanced up the rail and was bumped repeatedly before drawing off
to a three-length score in his debut at Keeneland. The dark bay filly will take
on the boys in this spot and must respected.
DICEY RILEY (Hennessy) was hustled to the early lead, then drove to a
three-length victory in his debut at Keeneland. Trained by Wesley Ward, who is
known for his prowess with early-developing two-year-olds, Dicey Riley figures
to display sharp early speed under a returning Garrett Gomez.
First-out winner MERKEL (Forest Wildcat) dueled early, then edged away to 3
1/2-length victory on opening day at Keeneland. The Steve Asmussen trainee is
well drawn on the rail for a ground-saving trip and rates a threat for a
top-three placing.
RUN AWAY AND HIDE (City Zip) broke to the lead from post 11, then drove to an
open-length win in his debut at Keeneland for conditioner Ronny Werner. The bay
colt wheels back in less than two weeks and has some upset possibilities.
MINE ALL MINE (Belong to Me), one of two fillies in the race, dueled early
before finishing third to Garden District in her bow. She figures to be a
presence on the front-end but would have to improve to factor. DREAM OF KAYLEE
(Cactus Ridge) has posted a couple of fast five-furlong gate works at Keeneland
for his debut. He is hard to gauge. FINAL JUDGEMENT (Northern Afleet) ships in
from the training center in Lexington but appears to be overmatched with these.