Ex Marks the Spot A model of consistency through seven stats for owners Michael Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, Explora eyes her first victory at the highest level in the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1), Friday at Churchill Downs. The Blame filly without a finish outside the top two on her scorecard has been her usual sharp self through three appearances this season. Explora got off to a strong start with a Santa Ynez Stakes score on January 18 before turning in a runner-up effort in the Las Virgenes Stakes on February 8. The Bob Baffert charge got back in the win column last time out, capturing the Honeybee (G3) by three-quarters-of-a-length on March 1. At 6-1 on the morning line, Explora is the 14-horse Oaks’ third betting choice (tied with Percy’s Bar). One Step Further The 152nd Kentucky Derby (G1) will see a deep field of 20 sophomore stars duke it out for a place in history and the lion’s share of a $5 million purse. Among those taking their talents to iconic Churchill Downs this Saturday is Spendthrift Farm’s Grade 1 winner, Further Ado. The powerful Gun Runner colt has made a habit of stealing the show, first with a jaw-dropping 20-length maiden triumph last October and again courtesy of a dominant 11-length Blue Grass (G1) victory on April 4. While sunny skies are expected Saturday, any potential rainfall – and a wet track – could play into Further Ado’s favour. The Brad Cox trainee enters the “Run for the Roses” as the 6-1 second choice, tied with stablemate Commandment. Friendly Confines Program Trading (GB) returns to Churchill Downs this Saturday to defend his $1.5 million Turf Classic (G1T) crown. The veteran son of Lope De Vega (IRE)–Dreamlike (GB) unleashed a furious late push to reach the wire a head in front of Naval Power (GB) in last year’s running of the 1 1/8-mile contest for 4-year-old’s and up. Replicating that success has been a challenge for Program Trading, who has performed well with a pair of seconds and a third, but nothing more in six starts since. Now, the bay, trained by Chad Brown for owner Klaravich Stables, hopes a return to Churchill Downs will help restore his winning ways. Program Trading’s title defense begins at 4-1 on the morning line. Endless Possibilities Slowing down 9-5 favourite Knightsbridge will be a tall order for 10 foes in Saturday’s $1 million Churchill Downs Stakes (G1), but Cornucopian appears up for the challenge. Trained by Bob Baffert, Cornucopian has shown well through five starts under his Hall of Fame conditioner. The sophomore son of Into Mischief–Magical World shot out of the gate with a maiden win last February before jumping right into the Arkansas Derby (G1) and holding his own with a fourth. After rounding out his rookie campaign with a runner-up allowance outing, Cornucopian is two-for-two to begin this season with a San Carlos (G3) score last out. The bay, bred by Three Chimneys Farm and Whisper Hill Farm, will need to step his game up once more to dethrone Knightsbridge, as the 7-2 second choice. Pope & Faith A hot start to the season has Greenwich Village positioned well ahead of his most challenging test to date, the $1 million American Turf (G1T), Saturday at Churchill Downs. After starting with a fifth in January’s San Vicente (G2T), the 3-year-old Quality Road colt stepped down to the stakes level (Black Type) to find his footing. The move paid dividends as Greenwich Village tracked down a pair of hard-earned tallies in the Baffle Stakes on January 25 and Pasadena Stakes on February 22. Now in rhythm, the Bob Baffert-trained bay’s recent performance inspired his connections to ship across the country and traverse terrain outside of California for the first time. Greenwich Village enters the 1 1/16-mile American Turf at 6-1. Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Share This:Share
