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Einstein set for Woodford Reserve tilt Multiple Grade 1 hero EINSTEIN (Brz) (Spend a Buck) leads a cast of eight in Saturday's $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1), which will be held one race prior to the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1). Trained by Helen Pitts, the six-year-old captured the Gulfstream Park Turf S. (G1) two starts back and exits an excellent runner-up finish to Kip Deville (Kipling) in the Maker's Mark Mile (G1) at Keeneland. That race was a little short for him, and Einstein will probably appreciate the stretch-out to 1 1/8 miles. Regular rider Robby Albarado will guide the 3-1 favorite on the morning line. Multiple stakes winner WAR MONGER (War Chant) didn't fire in the Maker's Mark, checking in last of 10, but he's a candidate to rebound at Churchill Downs for Bill Mott. Bobby Frankel will send out multiple Grade 2 victor OUT OF CONTROL (Brz) (Vettori), and Neil Drysdale is responsible for Grade 1 winner ARTISTE ROYAL (Ire) (Danehill). DUVEEN (Horse Chestnut [Saf]) will make his first start in 2008 for Kiaran McLaughlin, and the four-year-old showed an affinity for the turf when capturing the Crown Royal American Turf (G2) on last year's Kentucky Oaks (G1) undercard. THORN SONG (Unbridled's Song) also merits respect over the Churchill turf course, compiling a two-for-two mark, including a victory over heavily favored Cosmonaut (Lemon Drop Kid) in the River City H. (G3) last November. Stakes winner GOLDEN BALLS (Ire) (Danehill Dancer), a fast-finishing third in the Arcadia H. (G2) most recently, has shipped in from California for Jim Cassidy, and Canadian Turf H. (G3) runner-up YATE'S BLACK CAT (Black Minnaloushe) rounds out the line-up. Out of Control, who is listed at 5-1 on the morning line with Garrett Gomez, will lead the post parade under a 119-pound impost. Next comes War Monger, Kent Desormeaux, 121, 4-1; Golden Balls, David Flores, 117, 9-2; Thorn Song, John Velazquez, 119, 5-1; Einstein, 124; Yate's Black Cat, Ramon Dominguez, 117, 20-1; Duveen, Edgar Prado, 119, 8-1; and Artiste Royal, Rafael Bejarano, 124, 5-1.
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