Derby News

While morning line favorite First Samurai (8-5) and Bluegrass Cat are proven commodities, the rest of the field of nine 3-year-olds in Saturday's $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (GI) will be looking to earn their way into the May 6 Kentucky Derby (GI).

Lunsford and Robbin's First Samurai has been pointing for the Blue Grass since he finished second, and placed first after the disqualification of Corinthian, in the Fountain of Youth (GII). Trainer Frank Brothers shipped the son of Giant's Causeway to Churchill shortly after the race at Gulfstream, giving him three Louisville works in preparation for Saturday. The most recent move, a sharp four furlongs in 48.40 on Monday, showed that he is feeling good and is ready for a top effort. Rafael Bejarano, who has been riding incredibly of late, will be aboard First Samurai for the first time.

Lunsford and Robbins were at the post position draw and said that their colt has done extremely well since coming to Kentucky. "This horse's peak will be either this race or the next race (Kentucky Derby). That's what we've been shooting for."

The 5-2 second choice is the multiple stakes winner Bluegrass Cat. He was last seen in the Tampa Bay Derby (GIII), where he was upset by Deputy Glitters, a loss that broke a four race winning streak. He apparently has an excuse for the loss; he reportedly lost a shoe during the race. Regular rider John Velazquez has the call for trainer Todd Pletcher.

The rest of the field is headlined by the much-hyped Strong Contender. After failing to get into the overfilled Lane's End two weeks ago, trainer John Ward had to change plans. His well-traveled colt has been training at Gulfstream Park and more importantly, needs the earnings of a top two finish to have any chance of getting into the Kentucky Derby.

Ward indicated as much at the post position draw. "We've got a very finite target, and we have to be there."

Strong Contender is third choice, at 4-1.

Among the others are Little Cliff, who broke his maiden at Keeneland last fall, but is winless in three starts this year. Court Folly, trained by long-time Carl Nafzger assistant Ian Wilkes, also won his first race at Keeneland last year and will be making just his second start around two turns. He was most recently third to Sharp Humor in the Swale (GII) March 4. Storm Treasure comes from the same connections, Mike McCarty and Steve Asmussen, as that of Private Vow, who will start in the Arkansas Derby (GII) Saturday. Sinister Minister, trained by Bob Baffert, ships in from California after running second to Cause to Believe in the California Derby. Seaside Retreat ran a huge race to be second in the Lane's End and is the only stakes winner in the field except for Bluegrass Cat and First Samurai. The recent Turfway maiden winner Sadler's Trick rounds out the field.

The Bluegrass is part of a national broadcast on ABC, which will be shown from 5-6 p.m. ET. Post time is 5:22 p.m.

The field in post position order, with riders and odds:

1 Little Cliff, Corey Nakatani, 10-1
2 Bluegrass Cat, John Velazquez, 5-2
3 Storm Treasure, Mark Guidry, 15-1
4 Strong Contender, Edgar Prado, 4-1
5 First Samurai, Rafael Bejarano, 8-5
6 Court Folly, Javier Castellano, 12-1
7 Sinister Minister, Garrett Gomez, 15-1
8 Sadler's Trick, Julien Leparoux, 15-1
9 Seaside Retreat, Patrick Husbands, 15-1

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