Street Game, Banned top loaded Virginia Derby

Ryan Curatolo, who has been aboard Street Game during his impressive win

streak, will be replaced Saturday by Edgar Prado, who took three consecutive

editions of the Virginia Derby from 2002-04.

BANNED (Kitten's Joy), a son of 2004 Virginia Derby hero Kitten's

Joy, enters at the top of his game after back-to-back wins in the

American Turf S. (G2) and Jefferson Cup (G3) at Churchill Downs. The two

victories were achieved by a combined margin of 6 1/2 lengths, a figure

that could have been higher given the relative ease at which he won. The

Tom Proctor charge counts only one stakes loss on his scorecard, a fifth

in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) where he made a premature move

and flattened out.

KING CONGIE (Badge of Silver) has crossed the wire first in all three

of his turf appearances. After winning the Tropical Park Derby on New

Year's Day, he beat his rivals to the finish in the Hallandale Beach S.,

only to be demoted to third for stretch interference. A narrowly-beaten

third in the Blue Grass S. (G1) next out, he was a well-beaten seventh

in the Preakness S. (G1) last time.

DYNAMIC HOLIDAY (Harlan's Holiday) makes her long-awaited return to

action in the $150,000

Virginia Oaks (G3) over nine furlongs on the turf. The Graham Motion

pupil suggested she was the best three-year-old grass filly in Florida

last winter with consecutive wins in the Tropical Park Oaks, Florida

Oaks and Herecomesthebride S. (G3). The latter, contested on March 13,

was her most recent outing.

Challenging that one are Grade 3 winner WYOMIA (Vindication), a

below-par trailer in the Black-Eyed Susan S. (G2) last time; Hilltop S.

winner and Regret S. (G3) runner-up EXCITED (Giant's Causeway); the

Grade 3-placed MYSTICAL STAR (Ghostzapper); SUMMER SAVORY (Horse

Chestnut [SAf]), who is undefeated in two turf attempts; and the

regally-bred SMART STING (Smart Strike), a daughter of 2000 champion

turf mare Perfect Sting.

Three other grass stakes, worth $50,000 each, will also be contested

Saturday. These are the

Kitten's Joy S. for older horses at 1 1/16 miles, the

Chenery S. for two-year-olds at 5 1/2 furlongs, and the

Tippett S. for two-year-old fillies at 5 1/2 furlongs.