Woodford Reserve Turf Classic
The Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic is run at a mile
and 1/8 over the Matt Winn Turf course every year on “Derby Day.”
And while no match for America
This year that horse could be the mare, Stephanie’s Kitten.
Runner up in her Breeders Cup Division last year, after
winning the juvenile fillies Breeders Cup the year before, Stephanie’s Kitten
is coming into this race with a win in her seasonal debut in the Hillsborough
at Tampa. She has the services of John Velazquez; she is 3 for 3 on the
Churchill turf and getting weight from every other horse in the field. She gets
the weight allowance is because she is running against colts. Not sure if JV
tacks 115, but even a few pounds over will be an advantage.
Six works since the Hillsborough, this multiple Grade 1
winner says she is ready to face the boys.
Highweight Jack Milton is coming off a very nice win in the “other”
Grade 1 bourbon race at Keeneland. He is
picking up six pounds off that win, has the services of Javier Castellano. He
was an allowance winner over the course last year.
Seek Again is an intriguing horse. Can he break clean? Can
he stay out of trouble? His one start at Churchill was a second in this race
last year after bobbling at the start. He was “out-nodded” by the great Wise
Dan. Not many are better at giving horses time to figure things out than Bill
Mott. This horse has been freshened and could be dangerous.
And to spice it up a little bit, a horse you have to
consider in your exotics is Scrumpdilicious. Sharp young trainer, Joe Sharp,
seems to have the right feel for knowing where to place his horses. This former
claimer is always “right there”. Of course it’s a huge jump into Grade 1
company and that’s why he is 50-1 on the morning line.
Thank you ThoroFan, it’s good to be back to the Handicapping
Corner especially for the first weekend in May.
Enjoy all the great
racing this Derby
And, as always, FAST & SAFE to all our equine friends.
