Preachinatthebar looks tough in San Antonio

Ball Four is looking for his first win since September (Matt Wooley/Horsephotos.com)

Kentucky Cup Classic S. (G2) hero BALL FOUR (Grand Slam) is the 117-pound

highweight, spotting one pound to Preachinatthebar, and the Patrick Biancone

charge will attempt to rebound off a fifth in the Native Diver H. (G3) last out.

Julien Leparoux will ride the front runner. Other contenders include Grade 3

winner SOUTHERN AFRICA (Cape Town), Native Diver third-placer MOLENGAO (Brz)

(Royal Academy) and BACKUS (Real Quiet), who exits a 6 1/4-length score at Santa

Anita over allowance/optional claiming rivals.

FAIRBANKS (Giant's Causeway), a 3 1/2-length allowance winner at Gulfstream

Park in his last start, is cross-entered to Saturday's Strub S. (G2), but he'll

probably start in the San Antonio, according to his connections.

Backus, who will run uncoupled with stablemate Preachinatthebar, will carry

113 pounds and break from the rail with jockey Garrett Gomez. Next in the

starting gate comes Preachinatthebar, Jon Court; PORFIDO (Chi) (Mash One [Chi]),

Alex Solis, 114; Ball Four; EL ROBLAR (War Chant), Richard Migliore, 114;

Molengao, Victor Espinoza, 114; Fairbanks, David Flores, 113; Southern Africa,

Aaron Gryder, 113; and BILLY ALLEN (Ire) (Night Shift), Michael Baze, 111.