Turf runners likely for Blue Grass Stakes

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Lexington, KY (SportsNetwork.com) - As the days wind down toward the running of the 140th Kentucky Derby on May 3, the opportunities to acquire points for a starting spot in the Run for the Roses has owners and trainers making decisions on where to run their 3-year-olds.

One of the last stakes leading to the Kentucky Derby is the $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 12. The 1 1/8-mile race offers 170 points spread among the first four horses under the wire with 100 points going to the winner.

Several 3-year-olds who have raced on turf courses are being strongly considered for the Blue Grass.

Bobby's Kitten, trained by Chad Brown, is a probable starter and one of several grass runners likely to start on Keeneland's synthetic main track.

Owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Bobby's Kitten was third in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita. He won the Pilgrim over Belmont Park's turf course and won his 2014 debut at Tampa Bay Downs on March 9. The Ramseys also own Louisiana Derby winner Vicar's in Trouble.

Gala Award has never raced on anything but grass and is coming off a victory in Gulfstream Park's Palm Beach Stakes on March 1. The 3-year-old is trained by Todd Pletcher for Michael Tabor. Pletcher saddled last Saturday's Florida Derby winner Constitution.

The Palm Beach runner-up, Mr Speaker, is also probable for the Blue Grass as are Harry's Holiday, Coastline, Asserting Bear and Big Bazinga, the second- through fifth-place finishers in the Spiral Stakes.

Dance With Fate has one win on grass and broke his maiden over Del Mar's synthetic main track. The colt is trained by Peter Eurton and most recently was second to Tamarando in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields.

Tampa Bay Derby runner-up Vinceremos is listed as probable for the Blue Grass along with Divine Oath, Extrasexyhippzster, Pablo Del Monte and Woodfield Springs.