Plenty of Pre-Race Action at Keeneland

There was plenty of pre-race action at Keeneland Race Course Tuesday morning as a handful of potential Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) runners, including a possible Marker's Mark Mile (gr. IT) and Ashland Stakes (gr. I) starter hit the oval. Opening day at Keeneland is April 8.

The Todd Pletcher-trained Bandini breezed five furlongs in preparation for the April 16 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I). A son of Fusaichi Pegasus  , Bandini, got the distance in 1:00 3/5 while working in company with another 3-year-old, Confederation.

Bandini, owned by Michael Tabor and Derek Smith, finished second to High Fly in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park in his most recent outing.

Another pair of possible Blue Grass Stakes runners, Closing Argument and Mr. Sword hit the track Tuesday. Closing Argument recorded a four furlong work in :52 2/5 for trainer Kiaran McGlaughin. Mr. Sword breezed six furlongs in 1:13 4/5 for trainer Jennifer Pedersen.

Daddy Joe, another Pedersen trainee for Paranack Stables, breezed on Keeneland's all-weather track in advance of his start in the April 9 Illinois Derby (gr. II). Daddy Joe clocked a half-mile in :51.

World-record holder Mr. Light hit the Keeneland turf in preparation for the April 15 Maker's Mark Mile (gr. IT). Mr. Light clocked five furlongs in 1:03 2/5 around the dogs.
Conditioned by Angel Penna Jr., for Earle Mack, Mr. Light broke the world record for a mile on the turf at Gulfstream Park Jan. 3, stopping the clock in 1:31 2/5.

In addition, Paranack Stables' Amazing Buy breezed a half-mile under former jockey Julio Salas prepping for a possible start in Saturday's Ashland Stakes (gr. I) or the April 14 Stonerside Beaumont Stakes (gr. II). The Pedersen-trainee got the distance in :51 3/5.

Rounding out the list of workers, the Nick Zito-trained Wanderin Boy worked a blistering five-eighths in :59 2/5.