Hero of Order headed to Keeneland

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Lexington, KY (Sports Network) - Trainer/owner Gennadi Dorochenko has informed Keeneland Race Course that his Louisiana Derby winner Hero of Order is a candidate for the $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes on Saturday. The colt won the Fair Grounds stakes as a 109-1 longshot.

"If he is feeling good, run him," Dorochenko said.

The Louisiana Derby was the first stakes win for Hero of Order and just his second career victory in 14 starts. The win was worth $600,000 to bring the colt's earnings to $657,277. Those graded earnings should be enough to qualify him for the Kentucky Derby.

Hero of Order did not break his maiden until his ninth start which came on Jan. 7. Two weeks later he was fifth in the Lecomte Stakes followed by a third-place finish in an allowance race. The colt was then fourth to El Padrino in the Risen Star and on March 10 finished second in the Black Gold Stakes.

Eddie Martin Jr. is set to ride Hero of Order again after piloting the colt in the Louisiana Derby.

Dorochenko said he will likely also start California Derby winner Russian Greek in the Blue Grass.

Bowing out of the Blue Grass is Dogwood Stable's Raconteur. Trainer Todd Pletcher notified racing secretary Ben Huffman that the chestnut colt will skip the Keeneland race, but could start in the $1 million Arkansas Derby the same day.

Pletcher will start Heavy Breathing, third in the Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park on March 24.