Three-time stakes winner Storming Inti and grade III winner Global View lead a well-balanced field of 11 3-year-olds entered in the American Turf Stakes Presented by Ram Trucks (gr. IIT) at Churchill Downs May 3.
At 1 1/16 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course, the American Turf is the eighth race on the 13-race Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) card. Approximate post time is 2:59 p.m. (EDT).
Santa Rosa Racing Stables' Storming Inti won the Kitten's Joy at Gulfstream Park this winter and was a two-time stakes victor at age 2. He was favored in the off-the-turf Transylvania Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland April 4 that was also contested by American Turf entrants Woodfield Springs, Picozza, and Global View.
Storming Inti finished fourth, just behind Woodfield Springs and Picozza, who was second; Global View was seventh. The Transylvania was won by Spendthrift Farm's Medal Count , a colt trained by Dale Romans who is among the 20 scheduled starters in the Kentucky Derby.
In the American turf, Storming Inti will break from post position 8 for trainer Chad Brown under Javier Castellano. The son of Stormy Atlantic seeks his fifth win in his eighth career start, with two placings and $259,500 in earnings to his credit. He carries co-high weight of 120 pounds.
Also assigned 120 pounds is Glen Hill Farm's Global View, winner of the Generous (gr. IIIT) in November at Betfair Hollywood Park. The son of top European sire Galileo has won two of five starts; Global View will be ridden by Gary Stevens and break from post 5 for trainer Tom Proctor.
A Raven's Pass colt trained by Rusty Arnold for owner-breeder G. Watts Humphrey, Woodfield Springs made his stakes debut in the Transylvania after breaking his maiden in his third career start at Gulfstream Park. He will be ridden by Julien Leparoux and break from post position 11.
Starlight Racing's Picozza was also making his first appearance against winners in the Transylvania following a 5 1/2-length romp over amiden special weight field at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Gulfstream March 8. The More Than Ready colt, trained by Todd Pletcher, was second in a pair of maiden events on the Gulfstream turf in the winter prior to graduating.
An intriguing American Turf entrant is Big Bazinga, who was on the Derby Trail until his fourth-place finish in the Toyota Blue Grass (gr. I) at Keeneland April 12. Trained by Katerina Vassilieva for Derby Dream Catchers Stables, Big Bazinga has been winless in six starts since breaking his maiden in his career debut. Big Bazinga will be ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. as he breaks from post 7.
$250,000 American Turf Presented by Ram Trucks (gr. II, Race 8, approximate post time 2:59 p.m. (EDT), 3YOs, 1 1/16 miles (turf).
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer, ML Odds
1. Cleburne (KY), M Smith, 118, D Romans
2. Chief Barker (IRE), J Graham, 118, L Rivelli
3. Quotient (KY), V Espinoza, 118, J Sadler
4. Long On Value (VA), J Rosario, 118, W Mott
5. Global View (KY), G Stevens, 120, T Proctor
6. Craftsman (IRE), C Nakatani, 118, S Callaghan
7. Big Bazinga (KY), B Hernandez Jr., 118, K Vassilieva
8. Storming Inti (PA), J Castellano, 120, C C Brown
9. General Jack (KY), R Napravnik, 118, M J Maker
10. Picozza (KY), J Velazquez, 118, T A Pletcher
11. Woodfield Springs (KY), J Leparoux, 118, G R Arnold II