Strong undercard supports Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As if the Kentucky Derby itself isn’t enough, the racing action Saturday at Churchill Downs will be even more significant – and fun – with another half-dozen graded races to entertain fans beforehand.

All six should have some sort of impact within their respective divisions, and not one of them is a bad one. All but the first one, the Humana Distaff, are linked in multirace wagers that end with the Derby. First post for the 14-race card is 10:30 a.m. Eastern, with the Humana Distaff going as the sixth at 1:13. The Derby is race 12.

In reverse order, here’s a rundown of those supporting events:

◗ Grade 1, $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (race 11, post 5:25): Divisidero, the winner of the 2016 Turf Classic, had what trainer Buff Bradley described as an ideal prep for this 1 1/8-mile race when he finished second last month in an allowance at Keeneland.

“He’s done just super since we got him back here to Kentucky,” said Bradley.

Divisidero, with Julien Leparoux to ride, is one of 12 older horses in the Turf Classic, the traditional lead-in to the Derby. Other top contenders include Bal a Bali, a winner last out of the Grade 1 Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita; Enterprising, a two-time graded-stakes winner this year; Kasaqui, Oscar Nominated, and Beach Patrol.

◗ Grade 2, $500,000 Churchill Downs (race 10, 4:28): Awesome Slew and Masochistic were assigned posts 1 and 2 in a full gate of 14 for this seven-furlong fixture. Awesome Slew comes off a rousing victory in the Grade 3 Commonwealth for trainer Mark Casse, while Masochistic has been one of the top sprinters on the continent the last couple of years.

Other notables in a very deep cast include Clearly Now, Solid Wager, El Kabeir, Limousine Liberal, and Tom’s Ready.

◗ Grade 2, $300,000 American Turf (race 9, 3:37): La Coronel was expected to scratch from the Edgewood against fillies on Friday to run instead against 10 male rivals in this 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds. Casse was impressed with the way La Coronel thumped the opposition last month in the Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland and is hoping she’s the heir apparent to the recently retired Tepin, who competed against males on a fairly regular basis en route to being a two-time champion.

Oscar Performance, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last fall, will be trying to rebound from a disappointing fifth-place finish in his return to action last month at Keeneland for Brian Lynch.

◗ Grade 3, $250,000 Pat Day Mile (race 8, 2:45): One of the best betting events on the card, this one-turn dirt race for 3-year-olds could have No Dozing as a lukewarm choice after his narrow defeat in the recent Lexington Stakes – although there are another handful or more who figure to take their share of action.

That group includes several colts who were early Derby hopefuls – Local Hero, Uncontested, and Wild Shot – along with Excitations, You’re to Blame, Bobby On Fleek, and Warrior’s Club.

◗ Grade 2, $300,000 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (race 7, 1:55): Miss Temple City, a three-time Grade 1 winner, was assigned post 2 in a field of eight and will have a rematch with Roca Rojo as both make their first starts since finishing one-two in a tight photo last December in the Grade 1 Matriarch at Del Mar.

Among the rest are Believe in Bertie, Linda, Harmonize, and Prize Exhibit.

◗ Grade 1, $300,000 Humana Distaff (race 6, 1:13): Finest City, the reigning Eclipse Award champion in the filly-and-mare sprint division, was expected to scratch from the La Troienne on Friday to face six others in this seven-furlong race.

Trained by Ian Kruljac, Finest City will be turning back from a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Santa Margarita, a 1 1/8-mile race on March 18. She won the Santa Monica at seven furlongs in her previous start in February.

Carina Mia, a six-length winner of the Eight Belles last year on the Kentucky Oaks undercard, makes her first start since finishing ninth as a lukewarm favorite behind Finest City in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint last November.

Paulassilverlining, the winner of the Grade 1 Madison last month at Keeneland in her first start for Chad Brown, also is in the field.

“She’s done really well since then,” said Brown. “It’s a tough race, and she’ll need to bring her ‘A’ game.”