A well-matched field of older horses will vie in Saturday’s $250,000
Churchill Downs S. (G2), which kicks off the graded stakes action on the
Kentucky Derby Day program. The seven-furlong Churchill Downs will be followed
by the $150,000 La Troienne S. (G3) for three-year-old fillies and the $150,000
Churchill Distaff Turf Mile S. (G3) for fillies and mares.
Grade 2 winner WANDERIN BOY (Seeking the Gold), who has not started since
finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, could go forth as a slight
favorite in the Churchill Downs. The Nick Zito trainee has good early speed and
his last victory was a front-running score in last year’s Alysheba S. (G3),
which he is cross-entered to on Friday. Corey Nakatani has the call.
ELITE SQUADRON (Officer), runner-up by a head in the Commonwealth S. (G2)
last time out, is also entered, and THOUSAND WORDS
(GB) (Dansili), who finished fifth in the Commonwealth as the lukewarm 3-1
favorite, could be a factor for Bobby Frankel. Other contenders include Mr. Prospector H. (G3)
winner NOONMARK (Unbridled’s Song), Hot Springs S. victor JUNIOR COLLEGE (Ide),
and Essex H. scorer SPOTSGONE (Bright Launch).
The field, from the inside out, is Elite Squadron, John Velazquez; Thousand
Words, David Flores; Noonmark, Shaun Bridgmohan; Junior College, Jesus Castanon;
ISLAND WARRIOR (Cherokee Run), Jamie Theriot; HEWITTS (Concerto), Kent
Desormeaux; CARNACKS CHOICE (Carson City), Garrett Gomez; Wanderin Boy; and
Spotsgone, Julio Garcia.
All starters will carry 118 pounds, except Noonmark and Spotsgone, who will
shoulder 120.
A competitive field of nine will line up for the
La Troienne. ALINA (Came
Home), who set the pace before finishing a close second to Eight Belles
(Unbridled’s Song) in the Fantasy S. (G2) in her last start, is a top threat.
Old Hat S. (G2) heroine GAME FACE (Menifee) and Forward Gal S. (G2) runner-up
KEEP THE PEACE (Touch Gold) both merit respect in the 7 1/2-furlong test. The La
Troienne also includes impressive last-out allowance winner INFORMED DECISION
(Monarchos) and SECRET GYPSY (Sea of Secrets), who has not raced since setting a
new track record in her debut at Saratoga.
Champion DREAMING OF ANNA (Rahy) looms large in the
Churchill Distaff Turf
Mile. The Wayne Catalano pupil is undefeated in two graded stakes races this
season at Tampa Bay Downs and comes off a 6 3/4-length romp in the nine-furlong
Hillsborough S. (G3) over yielding ground. Dreaming of Anna will carry top
weight of 124 pounds, including Cornelio Velasquez. Lake Placid S. (G2) victress
SHARP SUSAN (Touch Gold), who returned to action with a half-length victory at
this distance at Keeneland over next-out Beaugay H. (G3) winner Criminologist
(Maria’s Mon), is also entered.