(April 10, 2004) - Over the past two weeks, trainer Nick Zito saw two of his major Kentucky Derby contenders, Birdstone and Eurosilver, endure a variety of health problems, but The Cliff's Edge remained healthy and showed it with a half-length victory over favored Lion Heart in the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass at Keeneland.

The Cliff's Edge dropped back to seventh in the early going but jockey Shane Sellers angled the colt out on the backside and began to move up. Meanwhile Lion Heart set the early pace with Limehouse before the favorite opened up a 2 ½-length lead on the far turn. The Cliff's Edge, four wide on the final turn, ranged up to engage Lion Heart in the lane and wore him down in the final furlong for the victory.

The son of Gulch, who won his first race since capturing Churchill's Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) at the end of November, covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.42 over a "fast" track.

"Cliff has carried the barn the whole year," Zito said. "It's really strange because Mr. Fustok was supposed to be here with Eurosilver. Shane gave the horse a tremendous ride. He's one of the best jockeys ever. I'm very emotional right now."

Despite giving way late, Lion Heart's trainer Patrick Biancone was happy with the effort.

"He ran a great race," he said. "He ran very brave and he fought hard. I'm pretty happy. It's good. We are here, we are in good shape and just have to cross our fingers for the next three weeks hope nothing happens to him.

The last Blue Grass winner to capture the Kentucky Derby was Zito's Strike The Gold in 1991.

Limehouse tired and finished third while Mustanfar checked in fourth. Breakaway, Action This Day, Preachinatthebar, and That's An Outrage completed the order of finish.

The 5-1 third choice, The Cliff's Edge paid $13.40, $4.40, and $3.00. Lion Heart paid $3.00 and $2.40 to place. Limehouse's show was worth $3.40. The $2 exacta paid $40.80.

After the race, nearly of the horses' connections indicated that they would move on to Louisville and take a shot at the Kentucky Derby. Indeed, last place finisher That's An Outrage looked like he might be the only horse in the race that his connections would not be coming to Churchill Downs.

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