Hold Me Back Favored in Blue Grass

WinStar Farm’s Hold Me Back, winner of the Lane’s End Stakes (gr. II) at Turfway Park, was installed as the moderate 3-1 morning-line favorite when 11 horses were entered for the April 11 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland.

To be ridden by Kent Desormeaux for trainer Bill Mott, Hold Me Back drew post position 10 for the $750,000 race at 1 1/8 miles over the Polytrack surface.

Made the 7-2 second choice by oddsmaker Mike Battaglia was Theregoesjojo, who finished third in the Blackberry Presents the 58th Running of the Florida Derby (gr. I) last out. Also entered in one of the last major preps for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) was Mafaaz, who is already automatically assured a starting berth in the Churchill Downs classic by virtue of his victory March 18 in the Kentucky Derby Challenge at Kempton Park in England.

Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I), $750,000, 1 1/8 miles, 3-year-olds:
1—Patena, Robby Albarado, 10-1
2—Join in the Dance, John Velazquez, 10-1
3—Theregoesjojo, Calvin Borel, 7-2
4—Cliffy's Future, Jesus Castanon, 20-1
5—Mafaaz, Richard Hills, 12-1
6—Terrain, Julien Leparoux, 6-1
7—Loch Dubh, Jamie Theriot, 50-1
8—General Quarters, Eibar Coa, 15-1
9—Charitable Man, Alan Garcia, 4-1
10—Hold Me Back, Kent Desormeaux, 3-1
11—Massone, Garrett Gomez, 12-1