Kansas City Boy favored in Illinois Derby

KANSAS CITY BOY (Boston Harbor) has been installed as the slight 7-2 favorite

on the morning line for Saturday's $500,000 Illinois Derby (G2) at Hawthorne.

The Kenny McPeek trainee, who is still eligible for a first-level allowance

race, comes off a disappointing seventh-place effort in the Louisiana Derby (G2)

after running second in the Holy Bull S. (G3) at Gulfstream Park and a close

third in the LeComte S. (G3) at Fair Grounds. Chris Emigh will ride.

John Battaglia Memorial S. winner MAGNA GRADUATE (Honor Grades) is the close

second choice at 4-1 on the morning line. The Pat Byrne-trained colt ran fourth

in the Lane's End S. (G2) in his last start and will be ridden by Eusebio Razo

Jr.

Nine three-year-olds will line up for the 1 1/8-mile Illinois Derby. In post

position order, with riders and morning-line odds, the field consists of

GREELEY'S GALAXY (Mr. Greeley), Kent Desormeaux, 9-2; MONARCH LANE (Maria's

Mon), Chris DeCarlo, 6-1; Magna Graduate; RIKMAN (Storm Creek), Heberto Castillo

Jr., 5-1; UNBRIDLED ENERGY (Unbridled's Song), Shaun Bridgmohan, 6-1; MEDIGATING

(Fr) (Dolphin Street), Larry Melancon, 12-1; WIN ME OVER (Friendly Lover), Larry

Sterling Jr., 20-1; DADDY JOE (Unbridled's Song), Norberto Arroyo Jr., 10-1; and

Kansas City Boy.

All starters will carry 122 pounds.

The card also features the $125,000 Lost Code Breeders' Cup S. for

three-year-olds at six furlongs. Arlington-Washington Breeders' Cup Futurity

(G3) winner THREE HOUR NAP (Afternoon Deelites) will face eight rivals under top

weight of 118 pounds.

AMAZING BUY (High Yield), who won three straight stakes races prior to

finishing third in the Bourbonette Breeders' Cup S. at Turfway Park, will carry

co-highweight of 119 pounds in the $125,000 Meafara Breeders' Cup S. for

three-year-old fillies going six furlongs.