Keeneland, dirt, 1-1/ miles, G-II, $1,000,000
One of the best looking 7-horse fields I have seen in a long time, especially for a key Derby prep, with any of 4 or 5 of these entrants capable of capturing the 100 points prize.
Perhaps, aside from the years this race was run on the poly, which left a bad taste in the mouths of many Triple Crown traditionalists, the Blue Grass has been grand for its history and the quality of horses that have won it.
Holy Bull, Skip Away, Prairie Bayou, The Cliff’s Edge, High Yield and General Quarters are among the marquee names, a parade of winners who have left a legacy for the game.
Three-time Blue Grass winner, Todd Pletcher, (Monba, Carpe Diem, Bandini) enters Tapwrit, certainly a major contender for the Roses. Other past BG winning trainers here today include Kenny McPeek (Java’s War and Harlan’s Holiday) and Dale Romans (last year, with Brody’s Cause; Dullahan) with hopefuls Chad Brown, Rusty Arnold, Ian Wilkes and Doug O’Neill vying for the Winner’s Circle.
#1 It’s Your Nickel…..Here’s a guy who has done pretty much everything right in his four-race career (4/2-1-0), including a nice win in the Battaglia last out. That race was on the synth at Turfway, so take note. However, that race was his stakes debut and, according to track notes, two others in that race that “he easily beat” came back for wins. Typical of McPeek to enter an up comer like Nickel in a spot like this, the son of Dialed In (also the Papa to Gunnevera) is here to do more than catch lightening in a bottle. Hard-boiled Jimmy Graham takes the mount with a piece a possibility in a short-ish field.
#2 McCraken…..OK. Some might say that today is “put up or shut up” day for this guy as McCraken, the Wilkes trainee, reeled off four wins in a row—in his first four career races-- and has been nothing short of excellent. However, this late in the TC season, as the three-year old mature, it’s another story. The difference between a young one from January to April is like a young boy going from freshman year to senior year in high school. Nonetheless, he is the deserved favorite at 7-5 ML. The lad looks good coming into this despite missing the Tampa Bay Derby with the ankle injury. Note: He beat Tapwrit (placed) in the Sam Davis. Tapwrit went on the win the TB Derby. He’s working well, with his jockey, Brian Hernandez, working even better these days. No doubt, on paper, the one to beat, but is Wilkes going to push him ahead as he’s already in and coming off ankle issues?
#3 J Boys Echo…While his name sounds more like that of a greyhound than a thoroughbred, I thought his Gotham was terrific blasting through for a 102 Beyer. While very well-suited for the distance, I have questions about his being able to do it again against the likes of the fave and Tapwrit. He is working well and Romans has won this twice. J Boys has the pedigree out of Mineshaft (also the sire of Dialed In) with a $485K Keeneland sale price tag. Albarado rides, and when he does, a red mark is placed on my handicapping notes, as I just don’t trust him. Certainly, J Boys Echo can win this, especially if he gets loose late, but there will be two or three others pounding it out in the stretch. A definite could with some help at 4-1 ML.
#4 Taprwrit….I really like him in this spot with his Beyer’s improving in each of his five career races. Today, much of the same. Could he hit a 100? The $1.2 million Tapit colt should be on his game, but he might need to withstand a fight to the finish to win this. A generous 5-2 ML?
GL Mikey, 
always the best
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