From Dogwood Stable
Dogwood Stable’s Atoned, fourth last time out in the grade II, $500,000 Illinois Derby, will be entered in the grade II, $325,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes at Keeneland April 19, according to Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president.
“Atoned has been training enthusiastically of late,” Campbell said. “The colt had a terrific work at Keeneland (the morning of April 13) – breezing a half in :47.1 and galloping out five-eighths in :59.2. It’s obvious he has great affinity for the Polytrack surface, which causes us to want to run in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes, a race well worth winning in its own right. It is also a nice steppingstone to the grade I Preakness Stakes (gr. I) on May 17.”
Todd Pletcher-trained Atoned, a stakes winner of $226,757, was second by a neck two starts back in the grade III Tampa Bay Derby, which marked his first start of the year. Campbell said it is likely Edgar Prado would ride Atoned in the Coolmore Lexington, which is run at 1 1/16 miles.
Dogwood’s other classics candidate, Blackberry Road, who was unplaced in the grade II, $1-million Arkansas Derby April 12, did not show his usual stretch punch, Campbell said.
"It could be that he is weary and discouraged from several frustrating efforts of late," Campbell said. "He is back at Churchill Downs, and will run next in an allowance race before we make any ambitious plans for his future.”
Blackberry Road is trained by David Carroll.
