Full Field Lines Up in American Turf

Five races before the field goes to post for the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs will play host to a full field of 14 sophomore colts and geldings in the GII American Turf S. over 1 1/16 miles on the grass. Ramsey Farm homebred Luck of the Kitten (Kitten's Joy) has been installed as the lukewarm 7-2 favorite and makes his second start of 2015 after setting the pace, only to be tagged on the wire by Night Prowler (Giant's Causeway) in Keeneland's Apr. 15 GIII Transylvania S. Trained by Wesley Ward, the chestnut annexed the Zuma Beach S. and finished second, beaten 3/4 of a length, by Hootenanny (Quality Road) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf last term. Drawn on the rail in this large field, the colt will likely attempt to use his speed to wire the field. Conquest Stables LLC's Conquest Typhoon (Stormy Atlantic) finished fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf last October, and has since finished third and second in the GIII El Camino Real Derby and the GIII Spiral S. over the polytrack Feb. 14 and Mar. 21, respectively. One of two entrants for Mark Casse, both of the bay's two career wins came in graded stakes over one mile on the turf in 2014, having taken the GII Summer S. at Woodbine Sept. 13 and the GIII Cecil B. Demille S. at Del Mar Nov. 30. Casse also sends out Live Oak Stud homebred World Approval (Northern Afleet), who looms as an intriguing longshot despite being drawn to the widest post in the field of 14. A half-brother to 2006 GI Breeders' Cup Turf hero and champion turf horse Miesque's Approval (Miesque's Son), MGSW Revved Up (Sultry Song) and MGSW Za Approval (Ghostzapper), the grey has shown a flashy turn of foot en route to two consecutive turf tallies, including the restricted Sophomore Turf S. at Tampa Bay Downs Apr. 4. Likewise, Divisidero (Kitten's Joy) also displayed a powerful late kick in his first-out maiden score over 1 1/16 miles on the lawn at Gulfstream Park Feb. 7. Trained by Buff Bradley for Gunpowder Farms LLC, the bay lost a significant amount of ground and lacked room late when third in the GIII Palm Beach S. in Hallandale Beach Mar. 7.