Gorgeous Bird, Frammento target Blue Grass Stakes

Gorgeous Bird, never a factor when fifth as the 6-1 fourth choice in the Fountain of Youth Stakes last Saturday, still could get a shot at a Kentucky Derby berth by making his next start in the April 4 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.

“That’s my first reaction, to point him to the Blue Grass,” said trainer Ian Wilkes. “But first I’ll have to see how he trains. He came out of the race just fine.”

Bred and owned by Marylou Whitney Stables, Gorgeous Bird finished 7 1/2 lengths behind first-place finisher Upstart in the Fountain of Youth. Gorgeous Bird was coming off two straight wins.

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The 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass underwent a date change and purse increase over the winter. It is now worth $1 million, up from $750,000, and is four weeks out from the Derby instead of three.

Frammento, third at 63-1 in the Fountain of Youth, also is likely to run in the Blue Grass, according to Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito.

“He broke his maiden there last fall,” noted Zito. “I’ve only got one shot left with him to make the Derby, and I have to make it the right one.”

The Blue Grass comes one week later than the March 28 Florida Derby at Gulfstream.

“I like the timing a little better,” said Zito, who has won the Florida Derby three times. “I’m not completely ruling out the Florida Derby, but the horse has already run three times here at Gulfstream. The Blue Grass is probably the way to go.”