Kentucky Derby decision pending for Dance With Fate

ARCADIA, Calif. – Dance With Fate, winner of the Blue Grass Stakes on Saturday at Keeneland, will return to California on Monday, and a decision as to whether he runs in the Kentucky Derby will be made by his owners, trainer Peter Eurton said Sunday at Santa Anita.

Eurton, as he did immediately following the race Saturday, said he would prefer not to run on dirt in the Derby on May 3, believing Dance With Fate is better on synthetic or grass. He also thinks coming back in three weeks would not be ideal for a horse who prefers time between races.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

Nevertheless, he said he realizes there is just one chance to run in the Derby, and wants the group that owns Dance With Fate to weigh all options and then decide.

“My vote is there,” Eurton said. “Plan A all spring was the Blue Grass. That was the goal. I just think he’s better on synthetic. He ran huge.

“We’ll evaluate him coming out of the race. He tends to get really jacked up after a race. When he has time between starts, he forgets about it. I don’t like running his races close together. If you look at his numbers, he’s better on turf and synthetic than dirt. He doesn’t like dirt in his face.

“But,” Eurton said, smiling, “it would be fun to run in the Derby, wouldn’t it?”

If Dance With Fate does pass the race, that would open a spot in the 20-horse field for Uncle Sigh, who is currently 21st on the points list.