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Stakes aplenty on Kentucky Derby Day program A well-matched field of older horses will vie in Saturday's $250,000 Churchill Downs S. (G2), which kicks off the graded stakes action on the Kentucky Derby Day program. The seven-furlong Churchill Downs will be followed by the $150,000 La Troienne S. (G3) for three-year-old fillies and the $150,000 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile S. (G3) for fillies and mares. Grade 2 winner WANDERIN BOY (Seeking the Gold), who has not started since finishing fourth in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, could go forth as a slight favorite in the Churchill Downs. The Nick Zito trainee has good early speed and his last victory was a front-running score in last year's Alysheba S. (G3), which he is cross-entered to on Friday. Corey Nakatani has the call. ELITE SQUADRON (Officer), runner-up by a head in the Commonwealth S. (G2) last time out, is also entered, and THOUSAND WORDS (GB) (Dansili), who finished fifth in the Commonwealth as the lukewarm 3-1 favorite, could be a factor for Bobby Frankel. Other contenders include Mr. Prospector H. (G3) winner NOONMARK (Unbridled's Song), Hot Springs S. victor JUNIOR COLLEGE (Ide), and Essex H. scorer SPOTSGONE (Bright Launch). The field, from the inside out, is Elite Squadron, John Velazquez; Thousand Words, David Flores; Noonmark, Shaun Bridgmohan; Junior College, Jesus Castanon; ISLAND WARRIOR (Cherokee Run), Jamie Theriot; HEWITTS (Concerto), Kent Desormeaux; CARNACKS CHOICE (Carson City), Garrett Gomez; Wanderin Boy; and Spotsgone, Julio Garcia. All starters will carry 118 pounds, except Noonmark and Spotsgone, who will shoulder 120. A competitive field of nine will line up for the La Troienne. ALINA (Came Home), who set the pace before finishing a close second to Eight Belles (Unbridled's Song) in the Fantasy S. (G2) in her last start, is a top threat. Old Hat S. (G2) heroine GAME FACE (Menifee) and Forward Gal S. (G2) runner-up KEEP THE PEACE (Touch Gold) both merit respect in the 7 1/2-furlong test. The La Troienne also includes impressive last-out allowance winner INFORMED DECISION (Monarchos) and SECRET GYPSY (Sea of Secrets), who has not raced since setting a new track record in her debut at Saratoga. Champion DREAMING OF ANNA (Rahy) looms large in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile. The Wayne Catalano pupil is undefeated in two graded stakes races this season at Tampa Bay Downs and comes off a 6 3/4-length romp in the nine-furlong Hillsborough S. (G3) over yielding ground. Dreaming of Anna will carry top weight of 124 pounds, including Cornelio Velasquez. Lake Placid S. (G2) victress SHARP SUSAN (Touch Gold), who returned to action with a half-length victory at this distance at Keeneland over next-out Beaugay H. (G3) winner Criminologist (Maria's Mon), is also entered.
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