Seven To Go Postward In Saturday’s 81st Running Of $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass (G1)
January 5th, 2005by Jude T. Feld
High Limit’s Louisiana Derby (G2)
Alexander Barkoff Photo
Thoroughbred ownership most often starts with Derby dreams. Americans especially, long for the champagne toasts and garland of roses that waits at the Churchill Downs finish line. To be realized, those dreams must be forged by faith and perseverance, as the road to Louisville is checkered with the obstacles of man and beast, nature and luck. Those owners fortunate enough to make it to Keeneland for the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) have seen their dreams achieve a whole new level, as the twin spires are now in sight and the days of wine and roses are just around the corner.
The 81st running of the Toyota Blue Grass (G1) will take place Saturday, April 16. A race steeped in history and tradition, the Blue Grass has produced 22 Kentucky Derby winners. The list is a litany of greatness – Whirlaway, Northern Dancer, Riva Ridge, Spectacular Bid, Alysheba, Unbridled, Strike the Gold and Thunder Gulch are just a few of the three-year-olds who parlayed a Blue Grass run into immortality.
Seven colts were entered in the Toyota Blue Grass (G1) Wednesday morning, their owners and trainers all looking to punch their ticket to the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Tracy Farmer’s Sun King, who was purchased for $400,000 at the Keeneland 2003 January Horses of All Ages Sale, cemented his berth in the Toyota Blue Grass (G1) with an impressive wire-to-wire victory in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3). The Kentucky-bred son of Charismatic possesses excellent tactical speed, is conditioned by proven Derby trainer Nick Zito, who has won the Toyota Blue Grass (G1) three times and will have jockey Edgar Prado in the saddle on Saturday.
Gary and Mary West’s High Limit has never been behind a horse in three lifetime starts. The Louisiana Derby (G2) winner was purchased for $145,000 at the 2003 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and subsequently purchased by the Wests after two impressive races at Delaware Park. Now in the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, the Kentucky-bred son of Maria’s Mon is regularly ridden by Ramon Dominguez.
A $1,250,000 Keeneland 2003 September Yearling Sale purchase, Robert and Beverly Lewis’s Consolidator enters the Toyota Blue Grass (G1) off an easy win in Santa Anita’s San Felipe (G2). Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, no stranger to Derby success, trains the regally bred son of Storm Cat, who will be ridden by Rafael Bejarano.
Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s Bandini was forced to miss the Florida Derby (G1) due to a foot bruise. Gulfstream Park’s loss is Keeneland’s gain as the son of Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, purchased for $500,000 at the Keeneland 2003 September Yearling Sale, is speedy and classy. His second-place finish to eventual Florida Derby (G1) winner High Fly in the Fountain of Youth (G2) stamps him as a legitimate contender. Last year’s Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher will tighten the girth for the Toyota Blue Grass (G1) and his favorite rider John Velazquez will be back aboard.
Tabor and Smith will also be represented by Spanish Chestnut. A gorgeous son of South African champion Horse Chestnut (SAF), the Patrick Biancone trainee won the San Rafael (G2) at Santa Anita earlier this year. Unplaced as the public choice, over a muddy track, in the Lane’s End (G2) at Turfway Park, Spanish Chestnut will be looking to rebound Saturday under his regular rider, Hall of Famer Gary Stevens.
Closing Argument was impressive winning the Holy Bull (G3) in February and also had to pass the Florida Derby (G1) with a bruised foot. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has had the Toyota Blue Grass on the radar screen ever since. Cornelio Velasquez will ride the son of Successful Appeal for Marcia and Philip Cohen.
Paraneck Stable’s Mr. Sword earned his way to the Toyota Blue Grass (G1) with a third-place finish in the Lane’s End (G2) at Turfway Park. The Jennifer Pedersen trainee has a solid late run in a field top-heavy with speed, which could mean good things for the son of Rizzi. He posted a sensational :57 4/5 workout at Keeneland on Tuesday. Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey will take the reins.
The Toyota Blue Grass field from the rail out with jockeys and morning line odds: Mr Sword (Bailey) 30/1, Closing Argument (Velasquez) 10/1, Spanish Chestnut (Stevens) 15-1, Consolidator (Bejarano) 7/2, High Limit (Dominguez) 9/5, Sun King (Prado) 2/1 and Bandini (Velazquez) 4/1.
