BLUEGRASS CAT (Storm Cat), one of the top prospects for the Kentucky Derby
(G1), will pursue his fifth consecutive victory when he heads to the starting
gate in Saturday’s $250,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3). The Todd Pletcher-trained colt
has already made a foray to Tampa Bay Downs this year, winning the Sam F.
Davis S. in his three-year-old bow last out, and the bay colt ended his juvenile
campaign with a commendable score in the Remsen S. (G2) at Aqueduct. John
Velazquez will ride.
DEPUTY GLITTERS (Deputy Commander), who surprised when second at 63-1 in the
Sam F. Davis, is a threat for trainer Tom Albertrani in Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile
event, and LITTLE CLIFF (Gulch), who finished fourth in the Sam F. Davis, will
van in from Gulfstream Park for Nick Zito. The unbeaten EL LOBO (El Corredor)
represents the local contingent and will make his stakes bow off maiden and
allowance victories over the track. The Kathleen O’Connell colt is also
cross-entered in Monday’s $100,000 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Championship S. at
Ocala Training Center.
El Lobo will lead the nine-horse post parade under jockey Daniel Centeno.
Next comes Bluegrass Cat; STORM TREASURE (Storm Boot), Mike Smith; WINNIES
TIGGER TOO (Wheaton), Joe Rocco; Little Cliff, Jeremy Rose; Deputy Glitters,
Jose Lezcano; IRISH MAJESTY (Arch), Javier Castellano; ICE N LEMON (Acceptable),
Cornelio Velasquez; and REAFFIRMED (Quaker Ridge), Robert Landry.