A field of 10 or 11 is anticipated by Keeneland racing secretary Ben Huffman
for the 87th running of the $750,000 Blue Grass (G1) on April 16, centerpiece of
the 15-day spring meeting that begins Friday and runs through April 29.
Topping the list of probables is Tom Walters’ SANTIVA (Giant’s Causeway),
runner-up in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) here last fall and winner of the
Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs to close out 2010. Trained by Eddie
Kenneally, Santiva finished second in his 2011 debut, the Risen Star (G2) at
Fair Grounds in February.
Others considered as probable for the 1 1/8-mile test are Team Valor
International’s CRIMSON CHINA (Giant’s Causeway), Stuart Janney III’s DATA LINK
(War Front), Joseph Witek’s JOES BLAZING AARON (Graeme Hall), West Point
Thoroughbreds’ KING CONGIE (Badge of Silver) Richlyn Farm’s POWHATAN COUNTY
(Fusaichi Pegasus), Mill House’s QUEEN’SPLATEKITTEN (Kitten’s Joy), James
Covello and James Dolan’s SWIFT WARRIOR (First Samurai), Gaillardia Racing’s
WILKINSON (Lemon Drop Kid) and All In Stable’s WILLCOX INN (Harlan’s Holiday).
Considered as possible for the Blue Grass is California-based JAKESAM (Smoke
Glacken), owned by Bourque Goldstein Thoroughbreds.
Four of the probables are at Keeneland and all four were on the track Monday
morning.
Willcox Inn, third in last fall’s Breeders’ Futurity, galloped Monday for
trainer Mike Stidham. Willcox Inn worked five furlongs in :59 2/5 on Friday and
Stidham said the colt would have his final breeze for the Blue Grass this
weekend. Rosie Napravnik, who was the leading rider at the just concluded Fair
Grounds meet, is scheduled to ride Willcox Inn in the Blue Grass.
Swift Warrior, winner of the Rushaway at Turfway Park in his most recent
start, galloped under exercise rider Eliel De Jesus. Trainer John Terranova is
expected to be at Keeneland on Tuesday.
Heather Craig, assistant to trainer Graham Motion, was aboard for Crimson
China’s gallop, while Dan Blacker, assistant to trainer Tom Albertrani, manned
the reins as King Congie jogged early Monday morning. Both Motion and Albertrani
are scheduled to be at Keeneland this weekend.
Huffman is anticipating a field of eight three-year-old fillies for
Saturday’s 74th running of the Ashland, the first of the meet’s four Grade 1
races.
Topping the list of probables is Five D Thoroughbreds and Wind River Stables’
KATHMANBLU (Bluegrass Cat), a four-time stakes winner trained by Ken McPeek.
Scheduled to arrive at Keeneland on Wednesday, Kathmanblu worked a bullet five
furlongs in :59 on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.
McPeek, who won the 2002 Ashland with Take Charge Lady, has saddled
Kathmanblu to three consecutive victories, highlighted by an 8 1/2-length score
in the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Downs to close out 2010. Kathmanblu also won
the Jessamine here last fall.
Others expected to contest the Ashland include the John Oxley-owned duo of
DANCINGINHERDREAMS (Tapit) and DELIGHTFUL MARY (Limehouse). Dancinginherdreams
is trained by John Ward and stabled at Churchill Downs, while Mark Casse trains
Delightful Mary, who is stabled at Keeneland.
The remaining Ashland probables are Right Time Racing’s BOUQUET BOOTH (Flower
Alley), G. Watts Humphrey Jr.’s GRAND STYLE (Giant’s Causeway) and Beverly
Anderson and Edward Seltzer’s WYOMIA (Vindication), all of whom are stabled at
Keeneland, plus Mr. and Mrs. David Randal’s DRAW IT (Tapit) and Michael Tabor’s
EXCITED (Giant’s Causeway).
Entries for the 1 1/16-mile Ashland will be taken Wednesday.