Blue Grass

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Nine sophomores will test the Keeneland Polytrack in Saturday’s feature, the
$750,000 Blue Grass S. (G1). We’re taking a stab with FIRST DUDE (Stephen Got
Even) in a wire-to-wire performance for trainer Dale Romans. The bay
three-year-old, who was a troubled fifth in the Florida Derby (G1) most
recently, has run three solid races this season and could really move up with
the change to synthetic on this occasion, where he was second in his
debut. The Florida-bred has very good positional speed and can run all day, so
if they leave Ramon Dominguez alone early, the field may pay for it.

ODYSSEUS (Malibu Moon) bravely battled back when he appeared dead in the
stretch of the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) last out and could be a major player in here
if he takes to the synthetic oval. Trained by Tom Albertrani, the talented and
improving colt has bagged three races in succession and has improved his BRIS
Speed figures in each of his starts. We expect the chestnut to be in the mix from
the opening bell beneath Rajiv Maragh.

INTERACTIF (Broken Vow) could be any kind and was flattered when second in
the San Felipe S. (G2) to subsequent Santa Anita Derby (G1) romper Sidney’s
Candy (Candy Ride [Arg]) most recently for trainer Todd Pletcher. The
high-quality colt surely deserves a long look in here and is definitely on our
short list of win candidates in his second synthetic try. We expect the
sophomore to be in midpack prior to putting in his best run under Rafael
Bejarano.

Former maiden claimer PLEASANT PRINCE (Indy King) has steadily improved for
Wesley Ward and looks like a live one in here with Julien Leparoux. The chestnut
earned a lifetime best 101 BRIS Speed rating at Gulfstream last out when a close
second in the Florida Derby (G1), suggesting that he turned the corner. The lack
of early speed will hurt the colt, but we still expect him to be running late.

AIKENITE (Yes It’s True) is very honest and capable of running with the best
of his generation for Pletcher, but the colt’s affinity for settling for
minor awards and his questionable pedigree to excel at nine furlongs leads us
elsewhere.

California import MAKE MUSIC FOR ME (Bernstein) looked the part with a fine
closing punch in taking the grassy Pasadena S. last out for Alexis Barba. We’re
not sure if it was the addition of blinkers or the surface switch that moved
this one up so much, but we’ll have to see him do it again before we back him
against this type.

Palm Beach S. (G3) victor PADDY O’PRADO (El Prado [Ire]) is coming to hand at
the right time for Romans, who could be cashing a nice check or two when this
one is over. The well-bred gray has put in two solid drills on this strip in
advance of this and should benefit from picking up jockey Kent Desormeaux. We
will include this one in our vertical plays.

With the exception of a last-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf
(G2), CODOY (Bernstein) has been in the money in every start for trainer Mark
Hubley. The synthetic specialist looks a cut below the top ones in here, though,
and we can’t endorse him for the win. STATELY VICTOR (Ghostzapper) was no match
in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) on
this oval in the fall and seemingly hasn’t progressed enough to be considered a
threat.