Granny's Kitten, Divisidero merit attention in American Turf Stakes
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In recent seasons the American Turf, a 3-year-old grass stakes on Kentucky Derby weekend, has come up short and soft. Not this time. Fourteen horses were entered in the Grade 2, $250,000 American Turf, and like the Derby itself, there’s sufficient talent here to ensure overlaid odds on horses that can win.
Granny’s Kitten is 20-1 on the morning line despite the fact he looked like a potential star winning his lone start at 2, a six-furlong turf dash last summer at Belmont.
Divisidero also is 20-1 and surely merits win consideration off a debut victory and closing third in a Grade 3 turf stakes at Gulfstream this winter.
The plausible contenders are many, as are pace elements. Luck of the Kitten led last fall in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and held off all closers except his stablemate Hootenanny. He has the rail, while the horse in the gate next to him, Wireless Future, also will try to secure a forward placing. So should Royal Son, and – way on the outside – Tuba. Fractions should be fair, if not demanding.
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KEY CONTENDERS
Granny’s Kitten (Beyer: 79)
◗ Trainer Mike Maker, who also starts Firespike, would have run the horse in a first-level allowance race for his first start since July had the right sort of race come up, but one didn’t, and Granny’s Kitten will make his second start and 3-year-old debut in a stakes. He might be up to it. “He’s push-button, and the sky’s the limit for him,” Maker said.
Divisidero (Beyers: 76-75)
◗ He closed powerfully in both his starts at Gulfstream, and the longer homestretch at Churchill should suit his style, though trainer Buff Bradley said the colt is tactically versatile. “He’s gained weight and is just a super horse to be around,” he said. “I worked him the other day and he worked great, but he came out of it so good you wouldn’t even know he’d worked.”
Royal Son (Last 3 Beyers: 83-98-73)
◗ This is the turf debut for the fifth-place finisher in the Spiral Stakes, but trainer Todd Pletcher worked him before that race on turf and liked what he saw. “He’s got a foot like a platter,” Pletcher said. “Looking forward to getting him on turf.”
