Two-time stakes winner Johannes heading to Churchill for American Stakes

Johannes, the winner of two turf stakes for 3-year-olds in California this year, is bound for Kentucky.

Trainer Tim Yakteen said on Thursday that Johannes is an intended starter in the Grade 2 American Turf Stakes, a $500,000 race at a mile on turf at Churchill Downs on May 6, the day of the Kentucky Derby.

The American Turf Stakes will be the richest race for Johannes, and his first start outside of California since he finished 10^th of 11 on dirt at Churchill Downs last June in his debut when trained by William E. Morey.

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After winning a maiden race on turf at Santa Anita on Dec. 31, Johannes won the Baffle Stakes at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course on March 5 and the Pasadena Stakes at a mile on turf on April 2.

Those races were run on firm turf, but the course at Churchill Downs may not be as firm as a California course.

“That’s the X factor,” Yakteen said.

Yakteen could have runners in three stakes at Churchill Downs on May 6. Kangaroo Court, who starts in Saturday’s $150,000 Echo Eddie Stakes for California-bred sprinters, will be considered for the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile, a $500,000 race for 3-year-olds.

Practical Move and National Treasure start in Saturday’s Grade 1 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby in their final start before a potential appearance in the Kentucky Derby.

Johannes, who races for owners and breeders Joe and Debbie McCloskey, has won 3 of 6 starts and earned $170,059.

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