Churchill Downs has announced the addition of four late nominees for the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT), a 1 1/8-mile grass race for 4-year-olds and up which will be run immediately prior to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) on Saturday, May 5.
The late nominees, for which a $1,000 fee was required by April 11, are:
--J. Paul Reddam’s Boxeur des Rues, a 4-year-old son of Smart Strike who finished sixth in the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) for trainer Doug O’Neill in his most recent outing;
--WinStar Farm’s Brethren , a son of Distorted Humor and a grade III-winning half brother to 2010 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Super Saver . He finished fifth for trainer Todd Pletcher in his 4-year-old debut on dirt in the Sir Shackleton Stakes at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino;
--Phil Cunningham’s Slim Shadey, winner of the San Marcos (gr. IIT) and runner-up to Bourbon Bay in the San Luis Rey (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita Park for trainer Simon Callaghan. He is a British-bred son of Val Royal; and
--Joseph Allen’s Vertiformer , a 5-year-old son of Dynaformer with three victories, including one in a listed stakes race, from six career starts in France. Vertiformer is now trained by Kellyn Gorder.
Six nominees were added during the 2011 late nomination phase for the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, but none started in that renewal of the race. The race is limited to 14 starters.
There were 61 horses nominated to the race during its early nomination phase. Supplemental nominations can also be made to the race at the time of entry for a fee of $25,000.