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Mafaaz due to arrive at Churchill Saturday The John Gosden-trained MAFAAZ (Medicean), who earned a berth in the May 2 Kentucky Derby (G1) by winning the inaugural Kempton Challenge on March 18, is scheduled to complete his journey from England to Churchill Downs on Saturday. The Sheikh Hamdan colt will arrive in Kentucky one week in advance of the April 11 Blue Grass S. (G1) at Keeneland, where he is expected to make his American debut. Mafaaz proved that he could handle nine furlongs on Polytrack at Kempton, but he would be racing left-handed for the first time in the Blue Grass. A dozen sophomores are currently listed as Blue Grass contenders, according to Keeneland. Several are already in residence at the Lexington, Kentucky, track -- Lane's End S. (G2) hero HOLD ME BACK (Giant's Causeway); Grade 3 victor TERRAIN (Sky Mesa), who was third in the Louisiana Derby (G2) in his seasonal reappearance; Canadian stakes winner and Lecomte S. (G3) runner-up PATENA (Seeking the Gold); Rushaway S. scorer CLIFFY'S FUTURE (The Cliff's Edge); and Black Gold S. third UNBRIDLE'S DREAM (Unbridled's Song). The undefeated CHARITABLE MAN (Lemon Drop Kid), who has not raced since capturing the September 13 Futurity S. (G2), was slated to arrive at Keeneland on Monday. Plans call for El Camino Real Derby (G3) runner-up MASSONE (Menifee) to ship on on Sunday, and Sham S. (G3) runner-up TAKE THE POINTS (Even the Score) to come in on April 7. Two other Blue Grass candidates are at Churchill Downs -- Lane's End runner-up FLYING PRIVATE (Fusaichi Pegasus) and Sam F. Davis S. (G3) winner GENERAL QUARTERS (Sky Mesa). Grade 2-placed GIANT OAK (Giant's Causeway) was mentioned as possible for the Blue Grass, but has been entered in Saturday's Illinois Derby (G2) at Hawthorne.
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