Seek'-ing Redemption

With the absence of two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan (Wiseman's Ferry), who won the GI Woodford Reserve Turf Classic in both 2013 and 2014, the morning-line nod in this year's renewal of the 1 1/8-mile test goes to last year's runner-up Seek Again (Speightstown). Missing by a just head in last year's Turf Classic, the Juddmonte homebred finished third in Belmont's GI Manhattan S. June 7, and benefited from the absence of Wise Dan when winning Saratoga's GII Fourstardave H. over Grand Arch (Arch) and Jack Milton (War Front) Aug. 9. Sixth to the six-time Eclipse winner in Keeneland's GI Shadwell Turf Mile Oct. 4, the Bill Mott pupil was a non-factor ninth when last seen in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile Nov. 1. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Gary Barber's Jack Milton was fourth as the favorite in Gulfstream's GIII Canadian Turf S. Feb. 21, but redeemed himself with a decisive victory in Keeneland's GI Makers 46 Mile last time Apr. 10. 

Taking on the boys for the first time in her career is Ken and Sarah Ramsey homebred Stephanie's Kitten (Kitten's Joy), a three-time Grade I winner. A close second in the GI Beverly D. S. at Arlington last August, the Chad Brown trainee captured Belmont's GI Flower Bowl Invitational S. Sept. 27, and closed out the year with a runner-up effort behind Eclipse-winning stablemate Dayatthespa (City Zip) in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf Nov. 1. The bay made her 6-year-old debut a winning one in Tampa Bay's GIII Hillsborough S. Mar. 7 and was further flattered when runner-up Ball Dancing (Exchange Rate) captured Keenland's GI Jenny Wiley S. in her next start. Brown also saddles Michael Dubb, Sheep Pond Partners and Bethlehem Stables's Slumber (GB) (Cacique {Ire}), who finished second in the GI Gulfstream Park Turf H. Feb. 7 and filled that spot again behind Chocolate Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the Fair Grounds's GII Mervin Muniz Jr. H. Mar. 28. 

Donegal Racing's Finnegans Wake (Powerscourt {GB}) has turned a corner since transferring from Dale Romans to Peter Miller last fall. The bay reeled off a trio of victories in the GII Hollywood Turf Cup Nov. 27, GII San Gabriel S. Jan. 3 and GII San Marcos S. Feb. 7, and was second in the GII San Luis Rey S. going 1 1/2 miles in Arcadia last time Mar. 21.