Denis of Cork tops field of seven in Illinois Derby

Undefeated Southwest S. (G3) star DENIS OF CORK (Harlan's Holiday) has been installed as the 2-1 favorite on the morning line for Saturday's $500,000 Illinois Derby (G2) at Hawthorne. If the David Carroll trainee extends his mark to a perfect four-for-four in the 1 1/8-mile test, he would solidify his status as a premier Kentucky Derby (G1) contender. Among his six opponents are Tampa Bay Derby (G3) runner-up ATONED (Repent), the Bill Mott-trained Z HUMOR (Distorted Humor) and impressive Texas Heritage S. winner REAL APPEAL (Successful Appeal).

Denis of Cork first emerged as a colt of great promise in his debut last November at Churchill Downs, where he rallied from near the tail of the field to win by three-quarters of a length. Next time out in a two-turn allowance at Fair Grounds, the blaze-faced bay overcame a sloppy track, and a wide trip throughout, to score by a measured head. Denis of Cork then stepped up to stakes company in the one-mile Southwest at Oaklawn Park. Turning in his most commanding performance to date, he uncorked a sweeping move on the far turn and powered 2 1/4 lengths clear at the wire. On Saturday, Denis of Cork gets a rider switch to Julien Leparoux.

Atoned will attempt to bolster the Derby hopes of horseman Todd Pletcher, whose three-year-old brigade has met with reverses so far this season. A smashing winner of the Continental Mile S. last August at Monmouth, the dark bay placed second in a pair of Delaware Park stakes before wrapping up his campaign with a gallant runner-up effort in the Remsen S. (G2). On that occasion, Atoned clipped heels on the first turn and stumbled, but regrouped to take command in the stretch and was just collared late by Court Vision (Gulch). Making his sophomore bow in the Tampa Bay Derby, Atoned again stormed to the front in midstretch, only to be caught in the final strides by Big Truck (Hook and Ladder). The Dogwood Stable colt will try to end his run of seconditis with new rider Joe Bravo.

Z Humor had a lucrative juvenile season. Third in both the Sapling S. (G3) and Champagne S. (G1), and fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), the Zayat Stables colorbearer held on gamely for a dead-heat score with Turf War (Dixie Union) in the Delta Jackpot S. (G3). The bay colt disappointed in his first outing of 2008, fading to fifth as the 6-5 favorite in the Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs, but turned in a better effort when fourth in the Fountain of Youth S. (G2) last time out at Gulfstream Park. Rene Douglas picks up the mount on Z Humor.

Also exiting the Fountain of Youth is GOLDEN SPIKES (Seeking the Gold), who retreated to fifth after leading early. Two starts back, the Marty Wolfson pupil finished a good second to subsequent Fountain of Youth winner Cool Coal Man (Mineshaft) in a Gulfstream allowance. Golden Spikes will take the blinkers off as he joins forces with new pilot Tim Thornton.

Real Appeal was under the radar as a two-year-old. After breaking his maiden at the fourth attempt, the gray overcame a poor start to get up for fourth in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2). Transferred to Tom Amoss for his sophomore campaign, Real Appeal exploded to a 2 1/2-length decision in the Texas Heritage at Sam Houston. James Graham stays aboard the improving colt.

Completing the field are Jim Edgar Illinois Futurity winner INSTILL (Proud Citizen), who has been well beaten in both of his outings in open stakes company, and RECAPTURETHEGLORY (Cherokee Run), who was most recently third in a turf allowance at Fair Grounds.

The field for the 51st running of the Illinois Derby, in post position order with riders and morning-line odds, comprises Recapturetheglory, E.T. Baird, 8-1; Instill, Chris Emigh, 15-1; Z Humor, 3-1; Atoned, 4-1; Denis of Cork; Golden Spikes, 5-1; and Real Appeal, 8-1.

Each starter will carry 122 pounds.