Competitive Edge, Peace and War meet in intriguing Pat Day Mile lineup

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – If things had gone differently for Competitive Edge and Peace and War, they might be looking to add to the lore of Churchill Downs’s most storied race this weekend.

Instead, both will be in the starting gate early Saturday afternoon at the Louisville oval to help another historic race turn the page to a new chapter.

The two Grade 1 winners highlight the lineup for the Grade 3, $200,000 Pat Day Mile, formerly the Derby Trial, on the Kentucky Derby undercard. The race has been shifted from its spot on Churchill’s opening night and renamed to honor Hall of Fame jockey Day, the track’s all-time winningest rider.

Competitive Edge was considered an early classics prospect last year when he won his first two starts, including the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga, by a combined 16 lengths. However, a hairline fracture to his left foreleg sent him to the sidelines. He returned in March to romp by 8 1/4 lengths in the Tamarac Stakes at Gulfstream Park and now tries a mile for the first time.

“I think it’s a good spot to bring him back, second start off the layoff,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “We’ll gradually stretch him out in distance. We felt like this made sense.”

Regular rider John Velazquez is aboard Competitive Edge, who lands in post 6.

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Peace and War was entered for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks but was excluded from the field based on qualifying points. The filly, based in England for Olly Stevens, invaded to win the Grade 1 Alcibiades Stakes last fall at Keeneland. She was off six months before returning to that track for the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes, this time finishing seventh. She cuts back slightly in distance for her second start off the layoff and drew outside under Javier Castellano.

Bob Baffert, who arrived loaded for bear for the weekend’s races, holds a strong hand with Lord Nelson and Gimme Da Lute. Lord Nelson rallied to finish second by a half-length after an adventurous trip in the Grade 3 Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct last out. Earlier this year, the colt won the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes over Texas Red. Gimme Da Lute, a sharp winner of the Echo Eddie Stakes by 5 1/4 lengths, goes beyond 6 1/2 furlongs for the first time.

KEY CONTENDERS

Competitive Edge (Last 3 Beyers: 95-90-90)

◗ Twice a winner at seven furlongs, he tries a mile for the first time.

◗ He romped in his return against stakes winner Mr. Jordan, but that foe was also returning from a long layoff.

Peace and War (Beyers: 61-84)

◗ She was stakes-placed against colts in Europe, where facing males is far more commonplace.

◗ She should get some pace to run into while cutting back in distance slightly for her second start off a layoff.

Lord Nelson (Last 3 Beyers: 88-95-92)

◗ His second with a rocky trip in the Bay Shore was his first loss in a one-turn race.

◗ He drew post 5 under Rafael Bejarano; watch to see if he can avoid kickback, partially responsible for his trip last time.

Gimme Da Lute (Last 3 Beyers: 100-84-70)

◗ This stretching-out sprinter owns the top Beyer Speed Figure in the field, a 100 in the Echo Eddie.

◗ He likely will need to use his speed from post 2 under Martin Garcia.