A huge and talented field of sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles on
the Keeneland Polytrack on Saturday in the $750,000 Blue Grass S. (G1),
the headliner of a big day of racing. Grade 2 winner Uncaptured
will be among the horses to beat in this one. Second in his seasonal
debut in the Spiral S. (G3), the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner should
be pretty tight for his second run of 2013.
Balance the Books
has displayed a dynamic turn of foot on the turf leading up to this,
and he should wmprove when unplaced in the Spiral S. (G3) in his
seasonal debut for trainer Chad Brown. Java’s War was a late
running second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) most recently and has the
look of an improving sort for Kenny McPeek. The Gary
Contessa-conditioned Rydilluc has romped home in three straight on the turf, including a fine score in the Palm Beach (G3) most recently. Palace Malice
had a tough trip in the Louisiana Derby (G2) two weeks prior and will
be another who could be right there if the Polytrack is to the liking of
this son of Curlin.
Dual stakes winner Dynamic Sky, Gotham S. (G3) runner-up West Hills Giant, Wesley Ward’s Undrafted, the D Wayne Lukas-trained Channel Isle, the Grade 3 placed My Name is Michael, Grey S. (G3) runner-up Tesseron, smart maiden conqueror Footbridge, Dale Romans’ Dewey Square, Eton Blue and West Coast import Demonic, a superb debut winner in his lone start to date for trainer John Sadler, are also probable.
Also
on the Saturday card is the $300,000 Jenny Wiley S. (G1), $300,000
Madison S. (G1), $175,000 Commonwealth S. (G3) and the $100,000
Shakertown S. (G3).
Advanced Wagering: Advanced wagering for Keeneland’s Blue Grass Stakes Day card will be available on Friday (4/12). Select track name “*Blue Grass Advance” which will be at the top of the track dropdown list. All of Saturday’s races will be available for wagering on Friday.
Blue Grass TV Coverage: A 90-minute live broadcast on NBC featuring the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes from Keeneland Race Course will air from 4:30pm – 6pm ET.
All Stakes Pick 4: A $250,000 guaranteed All-Stakes Pick Four features races 7-10, the Shakertown (G3), Madison (G1), Jenny Wiley (G1), and Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1). Two Pick Five wagers will be offered: Early Pick Five on races 3-7 and a Late Pick Five on races 8-12.