Keeneland's venerable Bluegrass Stakes, which has long been a final stepping stone to the Kentucky Derby has been reduced to a Grade Two event for the current running next Saturday.
It might be a Grade 2 to the committee that decides such ratings but to the connections trying to reach the Derby, this race is one hundred Grade, as in qualifying points. And seven entries are ready to give it a try.
The Bluegrass was downgraded because the participants over the past five years have not done well on Derby Day or beyond. Part of that time frame stretches back into the Polytrack era at Keeneland.
For the Polytrack years, the artificial turf made the Bluegrass a last chance round-up for Derby contenders, especially those with a pedigree that favored grass. The Bluegrass become almost irrelevant.
But now, dirt is back at Keeneland and it's possible that the old Bluegrass affair might be ready to return to its status as the last best indicator of a Derby winner.
This is not a big Bluegrass field, but it has quality and could produce the Derby favorite. The best candidate for that is McCraken, who won the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa and then was sidelined by an ankle injury.
After missing the Tampa Bay Derby, McCraken has been back on track, training nicely. He's still unbeaten and that Tampa Bay win was a track record. McCraken also won the Jockey Club Stakes last fall at Churchill. He's the 7-5 morning line favorite.
Second choice at 5-2 will be the Todd Pletcher-trained Tapwrit, who won the Tampa Bay Derby in the absence of McCraken. Pletcher's horse was second in the Sam F. Davis, but he bounced back with a stakes record in the Tampa Derby.
Tapwrit already has 54 Derby points thanks to his stakes win and has probably already qualified for May 6th. McCraken has just 20 points and needs to hit the board to solidify his place in the starting gate.
And this race is no cinch. Beyond the two favorites, there could be a surprise or two lurking that will provide a challenge.
J. Boys Echo will come in at 4 to 1 after bursting on the Derby scene with a victory in the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. J Boys Echo is a son of Mineshaft and trainer Dale Romans won this race last year with Brody's Cause.
It's Your Nickel, is another recent winner, who took the John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway on March 4. Ken McPeek is the trainer and he loves to win at Keeneland.
Then there's Practical Joke, trained by Chad Brown, who I predict will eventually win a Kentucky Derby. Practical Joke is 7-2 in the morning line after a second place finish in Gulfstream's Fountain of Youth.
And Doug O'Neill ships in Irap who will try to become the first maiden to win the Bluegrass. The son of Tiznow certainly has the breeding to go the distance and O'Neill takes a long shot at 20-1.
And Wild Shot completes the field for the Bluegrass at 15-1. He picked up third place in the Tampa Bay Derby after a bad start and trainer Rusty Arnold is hoping his speedy colt can bounce back.
Is this a Grade 2 Derby prep? I wouldn't be surprised if the May 6 favorite comes out of this race.
Bluegrass Stakes 1 and 1/8th Miles Purse: 1 Million Dollars
93rd Running for 3-Year-Olds
Trainer Jockey
1. It's Your Nickel 20-1 Kenneth McPeek James Graham
2. McCraken 7-5 Ian Wilkes Brian Hernandez Jr.
3. J Boys Echo 4-1 Dale Romans Robby Albarado
4. Tapwrit 5-2 Todd Pletcher Jose Ortiz
5. Wild Shot 15-1 Rusty Arnold Corey Lanerie
6. Irap 20-1 Doug O'Neill Juliien Leparoux
7. Practical Joke 7-2 Chad Brown Joel Rosario
