Hogy can lock up Breeders' Cup spot in Woodford

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Grade 2 Woodford is the only one of the nine stakes this week at Keeneland without a Win and Your In designation toward the Nov. 3-4 Breeders’ Cup.

And yet, it might as well be.

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The winner of the $200,000 Woodford surely will be worthy of a spot in the gate for the BC Turf Sprint at Del Mar, given the quality of the more-accomplished entrants in this 5 1/2-furlong race Saturday.

Foremost of the nine Woodford starters is Hogy, the 8-year-old gelding who has earned more than $1.1 million and has finished first or second in 28 of his 45 starts. Twice claimed for $80,000, Hogy won the Grade 3 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint in his first start for owner Michael Hui and trainer Mike Maker last month, and is the likely favorite on Saturday over Conquest Panthera, Commend, and Mongolian Saturday.

Hui responded in the affirmative following the Kentucky Downs triumph when asked about his desire to make the Breeders’ Cup with his new acquisition. In the interim, Hogy “has trained like the warhorse he is” at the Trackside training center in Louisville, said Maker.

The Woodford, named for the county located just west of Keeneland, is the leadoff event in an all-stakes pick five (races 5-9) with a $250,000 guaranteed pool.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Hogy, by Offlee Wild

Last 3 Beyers: 96-95-95

◗ He comes well drawn in post 8, which should allow jockey Florent Geroux to settle him into a comfortable stalking rhythm before making a bid.

Conquest Panthera, by Kitten’s Joy

Last 3 Beyers: 98-101-96

◗ Yes, the 5 1/2 furlongs might not be enough for him, but if those big Beyers translate, he could loom huge with his usual late run.

Commend, by War Front

Last 3 Beyers: 95-96-94

◗ He was beaten just a half-length by Hogy at Kentucky Downs, and his consistency suggests it wouldn’t take a lot to turn the tables here.

Mongolian Saturday, by Any Given Saturday

Last 3 Beyers: 91-90-90

◗ He is winless in seven starts since capturing the 2016 Woodford, but he loves the Keeneland turf and has Javier Castellano back again.