CD Distaff Turf Mile

The Distaff Turf Mile S. (G3) kicks off a guaranteed $1 million Pick 4 pool
on the Kentucky Derby (G1) card at Churchill Downs. WEND (Pulpit), the 2-1
morning-line favorite, is clearly the one to beat, but MORE THAN PROMISED (More
Than Ready) rates our longshot special.

More Than Promised has won four of her last five starts on the turf, and
closed out her three-year-old campaign with a fast-closing third in the 7
1/2-furlong Frances A. Genter S. (G3) at Calder. Prior to that, the Steve
Asmussen trainee won three straight turf stakes with a strong late turn of
foot, recording BRIS Late Pace ratings of 118, 105 and 102. More Than Promised
has been training extremely well for her return, outworking Swale S. (G2)
runner-up Noonmark (Unbridled’s Song) recently while finishing her last
quarter-mile in :24 2/5. If they go too fast early, the chestnut filly could
come running late at large odds.

Wend won her first five career starts before running sixth in the Beverly D.
S. (G1), a close second to eventual champion Intercontinental (GB) (Danehill) in
the Galaxy S. (G2), and sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). The
Bill Mott-trained mare set fast fractions before holding sway in the Honey Fox
H. (G3) in her seasonal debut, and then stalked moderate splits before rallying
four wide and drawing off to a 1 1/2-length decision in the Jenny Wiley S. (G2)
last out. Wend, a top contender for this year’s championship honors,
projects a perfect inside stalking trip, but won’t offer much value.

LOCK AND KEY (Ire) (Key of Luck) finished a fast-closing second going about 6
1/2 furlongs on Santa Anita’s downhill turf course in her two U.S. starts. In
her most recent outing, she finished less than a length behind the remarkable
Cambiocorsa (Avenue of Flags) in the Las Cienegas H. (G3) on April 16. The Ben
Cecil-trained filly figures to come running late, but has some questions at this
distance and around two turns. She is a good one to use on the bottom of the
single-race exotics.

The Bobby Frankel-trained MIRABILIS (Lear Fan) finished a close third to
Silver Cup (Ire) (Almutawakel [GB]) in the Buena Vista H. (G2), but proved to be
no match for Wend in the Jenny Wiley, running a one-paced third. She does,
however, figure to carve out a close-up stalking trip, and could factor for a
part with improvement. The Todd Pletcher-trained READY’S GAL (More Than Ready)
likes to run on the front end and exits a good-looking score in the Hillsborough
S. (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. The chestnut lass finished behind our top choice in
the Frances Genter, but must be respected for a share.

Ashland S. (G1) queen SIS CITY (Slew City Slew), who has not started since
finishing a distant fourth in the Alabama S. (G1) at Saratoga, will make her
turf debut in this event. The speedy Richard Dutrow trainee has posted three
grass works at Palm Meadows for her return and will likely be the one to catch
if sent for the early lead. She may, or may not, act on the turf. Your call.
SPECIAL GRAYCE (Smart Strike) is going well at present, closing strongly to defeat
first-level allowance foes at Gulfstream Park, then just missing on the raise at
Keeneland. The gray filly has trained forwardly since her last start and has
serious upset potential beneath Rafael Bejarano. Consider. MARCHONIN (Dixieland
Band) ran a good third to Ready’s Gal in the Hillsborough, and is a consistent
performer for trainer Michael Matz. She has yet to finish off the board in five
turf starts and is worth a second look at a price under Robby Albarado.

MAY GATOR (Green Alligator) ran a decent third against classified allowance
types on the grass at Keeneland in her last start, but this is a much tougher
field. She is hard to recommend for the win. ANEGADA (Arch) has two wins in
three starts on this course, but comes off the shelf and faces a class test with
these. We’re just going to watch. DASH OF HUMOR (Distorted Humor) has yet to win
a turf race and appears to be overmatched here.