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.