Seek Again hoping to go one better in Turf Classic

A close second to Wise Dan last year, Seek Again will take his second stab at the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (NYRA/Adam Coglianese Photography) On Kentucky Derby Day 2014, Seek Again (Speightstown) gave two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan (Wiseman’s Ferry) his sternest test in some time when running the great horse to a head in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1). With that gelding out of action for the time being, Seek Again will seek to make amends in the $400,000, 1 1/8-mile contest which precedes the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs on Saturday. Seek Again took advantage of Wise Dan’s absence last summer when taking the Fourstardave H. (G2) at Saratoga over returning rivals Grand Arch (Arch) and Jack Milton (War Front), but later lost to Wise Dan in the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) by four lengths. In his most recent start, Seek Again broke slow and was a non-factor in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) for Bill Mott, who got the Juddmonte homebred to fire a good one here off a five-month layoff last year. In addition to Grade 2 winner Grand Arch, a comeback allowance winner at Keeneland last month, and Jack Milton, who recently scored in the Maker’s 46 Mile (G1) in Lexington, the Turf Classic is loaded with other quality horseflesh. Chocolate Ride (Candy Ride) enters off back-to-back graded wins at Fair Grounds, Finnegans Wake (Powerscourt) enjoyed a stellar winter campaign at Santa Anita, and Slumber (Cacique) just missed winning at Gulfstream and Fair Grounds in his past two starts.

Adding her own touch of feminine flair is Stephanie’s Kitten (Kitten’s Joy),
who won on the Derby Day undercard two years ago at a mile but opts for this
longer test. First or second in her past five starts, she’s won the Flower Bowl
(G1) and Hillsborough (G3) and been second best in the Diana (G1), Beverly D.
(G1) and Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) during a terrific streak of form.

Others who might pop up are the Mike de Kock-trained Umgiyo (Danehill
Dancer), the traveling and workout companion to Derby contender Mubtaahij (Dubawi);
John B. Connally Turf (G3) winner Coalport (Kitten’s Joy); and veteran Grade 2
winner Optimizer (English Channel), who ran Wise Dan to a nose in the Bernard
Baruch H. (G2) last summer.

By contrast, the $300,000

Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) is not quite as deep on paper. Expected to
attract a majority of the wagering dollars are the race’s 2014 winner, Coffee
Clique (Medaglia d’Oro), and the duo she finished third behind in the March 28
Honey Fox (G2) at Gulfstream: Lady Lara (Excellent Art) and Sandiva
(Footstepsinthesand).

Looking to spring the upset are Del Mar Oaks (G1) heroine Personal Diary
(City Zip), multiple Grade 2 winner Solid Appeal (Successful Appeal), and Grade
3 scorers Tepin (Bernstein) and Strike Charmer (Smart Strike).

A full field of 14 three-year-olds will line up for the $250,000
American
Turf (G2) at 1 1/16 miles. Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) and Transylvania
(G3) runner-up Luck of the Kitten (Kitten’s Joy) will take some catching from
post 1, but quality closers abound.

Another Lemon Drop (Lemon Drop Kid), A Lot (Tapit), Conquest Typhoon (Stormy
Atlantic), Firespike (Flower Alley), Indianaughty (Indian Charlie), and
Divisidero (Kitten’s Joy) all merit respect, as does John Battaglia Memorial
winner Royal Son (Tiznow), who tries turf for the first time, and the returning
debut winner Granny’s Kitten (Kitten’s Joy).

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