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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.
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. Two six-furlong stakes will be contested on the Illinois Derby undercard. Three-year-old fillies will be highlighted in the $50,000 Meafara S., which has drawn a field of seven. J Z WARRIOR (Harlan's Holiday), a 10-length maiden winner at Saratoga last July, will cut back in distance after winding up a remote fifth in the one-mile Davona Dale S. (G2) at Gulfstream. Three prime contenders all claim victories at Hawthorne -- LA WILDCAT (Forest Wildcat) garnered the Miss Power Puff S. at this track and trip in November; Anna M. Fisher Debutante S. heroine MISS RED DELICIOUS (Empire Maker) is coming off a sprint allowance score here; and PADDY WAK WAKIE (Menifee) romped by 10 3/4 lengths at this venue in her career bow last time out. Eight-year-old veteran COACH JIMI LEE (Roar) will seek his 12th career stakes coup in the $75,000 James M. Levitch Illinois Owners H. The James DiVito charge has not raced since late last year, when he was second in the Christmas S. at Mountaineer, but has been training forwardly in advance of his reappearance. Six foes have signed up to challenge the elder statesman, including the uncoupled Christine Janks duo of six-time stakes scorer HIGH EXPECTATIONS (Peaks and Valleys) and Lightning Jet H. hero MIGHTY RULE (Gilded Time).
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