McPeek sorting out plans for his 3-year-olds

Kenny McPeek, whose lone stakes entry here Saturday is Crazy Beautiful in the Shawnee, no longer intends to send Tiz the Bomb to England for his next start, as had been considered. Instead, the colt is now being pointed to the Belmont Derby and Saratoga Derby after finishing ninth in the May 7 Kentucky Derby in his latest start.

McPeek recently assumed the training of Classic Causeway, 11th in the Derby, and intends to work him here Saturday. After observing the colt for the last week or so, “he’s doing everything right,” said McPeek. “He’s solid.”

:: Want to start playing with a $510 bankroll and have access to free Formulator? Learn more

McPeek already has Creative Minister, third in the Preakness, in New York for the Belmont Stakes. Smile Happy, eighth in the Derby, “got a clean bill of health” in a recent veterinary check-up and will be back training “in two or three weeks,” said McPeek, after spending time at Magdalena Farm in Lexington.

Also, Rattle N Roll likely goes next in the June 25 Ohio Derby at Thistledown, while yet another of his 3-year-olds, Dash Attack, has returned to Churchill after winning the May 14 Long Branch at Monmouth Park. He goes next in the June 12 Matt Winn at Churchill, the June 18 Pegasus at Monmouth, or the Ohio Derby.