Undrafted the class of the field in Lucky Coin

Undrafted continues his march toward a probable tilt in the TwinSpires.com Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita this fall when he takes to the Mellon turf at Saratoga on Monday in the $100,000 Lucky Coin over 5 1/2 furlongs.

A six-year-old trained by Wesley Ward, Undrafted showed his best on a world stage last season taking the Diamond Jubilee (G1) at Royal Ascot. Though sixth in his title defense of that straight six-furlong test last month, the Purim gelding was beaten a mere 2 1/2 lengths.

A frequent place-getter in the five- and 5 1/2-furlong turf dashes that generally populate the American calendar, Undrafted finally broke through at the distance in his season debut at Keeneland when taking the Shakertown (G3) with a powerful rally from the back.

Only fifth in last year's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint on that same course, Undrafted fared better in the race at Santa Anita two years ago when a half-length behind Bobby's Kitten on the unique downhill course he will encounter again in November.

Only fifth in the 2015 Lucky Coin, Spring to the Sky enters Monday's renewal in better form with narrow losses in the Jim McKay Turf Sprint and Pennsylvania Governor's Cup preceding a Belmont allowance score over six furlongs. Long On Value, a multiple Grade 2 winner for Bill Mott, shortens up after two seconds from three starts earlier in the year.

Successful Native and Doctor J Dub invade from Gulfstream where they've both won stakes this summer, while Pool Winner makes his stakes debut in the midst of a win streak presently sitting at four races.

(Coady Photography)