Blue Grass Highlights Keeneland’s Racing Saturday
Scott Morris | April 8, 2016
On Friday, Keeneland opens for its spring meeting for 16 days with the big marquee event, taking place on Saturday with a full field of talented three-years olds looking to stamp their ticket to next month’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, when they battle for the winner’s circle in the Toyota Blue Grass with a $1 million purse.
Saturday’s Blue Grass is one of the three Grade 1 races on an excellent day of horseracing. The other two feature races are the Madison at $300,000 and the Ashland at $500,000.
The Blue Grass has points of 100-40-20-10 towards entry to next month’s first race of the Triple Crown the Kentucky Derby. Zulu trained by Todd Pletcher is the morning line 5-2 favorite amongst the 14 horses in the field.
Zulu was second in the Fountain of Youth to Mohaymen in his debut in the stakes. He was beaten by 2 ½ lengths. However, Mohaymen disappointed on his return after winning, by finishing fourth last Saturday in the Florida Derby.
Brody’s Cause at 4 to 1 is difficult to read. He was the favorite but beaten during the Tampa Bay Derby in his debut as a three-year old. However, he then impressed with a Breeders’ Futurity victory over the main track at Keeneland last fall. He then was a strong third during the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
The Ashland has drawn quite a small field with just five taking part but the group of five is top-notch. Leading the pack is favorite Cathryn Sophia. She has won the only four starts in her career by an overwhelming combined 41 lengths.
She will race a pair of nice fillies Carina Mia winner Golden Rod and Rachel’s Valentina the runner up in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies.
The opening day on Friday features the Transylvania for $100,000 for three year olds on turf.
Racing will be on tap in a big way right up to the Kentucky Derby on May 7 from Churchill Downs and through the end of the Triple Crown.
