Stars lining up for Kentucky Derby week stakes at Churchill

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Fields for supporting stakes during opening week of the Churchill Downs spring meet are taking shape, with stars such as Bricks and Mortar, McKinzie, Newspaperofrecord, and Bulletin all expected to be in action.

The busy schedule opens Saturday night with the six-furlong William Walker and continues through the Grade 1 Old Forester Turf Classic, the traditional lead-in to the Kentucky Derby. Here’s a quick glance at some key races on the Derby week roster:

William Walker
Bulletin, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner who’s unbeaten in three races, will start as a heavy favorite for Todd Pletcher on Saturday. The speedy 3-year-old colt is using the Walker as a bridge toward a Royal Ascot race in June.

Kentucky Juvenile
All eyes will be on Wesley Ward, who expects to start Marva and perhaps another 2-year-old in this five-furlong race on May 1.

Alysheba
McKinzie, among a contingent of Bob Baffert’s brigade expected to arrive here from California no later than Saturday, will face off against Bourbon Resolution, Instilled Regard, Pavel, Tom’s d’Etat, and a few more older horses in a great renewal of this 1 1/16-mile race on Oaks Day.

La Troienne
Blue Prize, a three-time stakes winner at Churchill, is among a solid group of fillies and mares pointing to this 1 1/16-mile race on Oaks Day, along with Divine Miss Grey, Mopotism, Secret Spice, and She’s a Julie.

Edgewood
Newspaperofrecord arrived here Monday from Florida ahead of her greatly anticipated 3-year-old debut for Chad Brown in this 1 1/16-mile turf race on Oaks Day. Her stablemate, Cambier Parc, is among the expected opposition, along with Concrete Rose and Winter Sunset.

Eight Belles
Baffert has one of the likely favorites in Mother Mother in a seven-furlong race on Oaks Day for which Oaks exclusions/dropouts sometimes become key last-minute entries. Other probables: Bell’s the One, Queen of Beas, Take Charge Angel.

Old Forester
Bricks and Mortar, the No. 1-rated horse in the latest NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll, is one of three older horses expected to represent Brown in this 1 1/8-mile turf race on Derby Day, along with Ticonderoga and Raging Bull. Divisidero, a two-time prior winner, is among the other probables, along with Arklow, Multiplier, and more.

Churchill Downs
Limousine Liberal, the two-time defending champion, is among a deep list of probables for this seven-furlong race on Derby Day, as well as Bobby’s Wicked One, Promises Fulfilled, Recruiting Ready, Warrior’s Club, and more.

Humana Distaff
The Baffert duo of Marley’s Freedom and Dream Tree head the lineup of fillies and mares for this seven-furlong race on Derby Day, with Amy’s Challenge, Shamrock Rose, and Talk Veuve to Me among the others expected.

American Turf
A bulky field of 3-year-olds is expected for this 1 1/16-mile race on Derby Day, including A Thread of Blue, Ami’s Flatter, Digital Age, and Henley’s Joy.

Distaff Turf Mile
Brown has a couple of likely favorites in Precieuse and Environs in a race on Derby Day also expected to get Beau Recall, Capla Temptress, Daddy Is a Legend, and Valedictorian.

Pat Day Mile
A big field of 3-year-olds is likely for this Derby Day race, with known prospects including Global Campaign, Hog Creek Hustle, Manny Wah, and Mr. Money.