Trainer Patrick Biancone revealed late Friday that he's considering skipping the April 3 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) with grade I winner Lion Heart in favor of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland a week later.
The 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass, which is the same distance as the Santa Anita Derby, will be contested on April 10.
"As of right now we're still on target for the Santa Anita Derby," Biancone said. "But we are also considering the Blue Grass. With the news that Eurosilver wouldn't be in the Blue Grass we (he and owners Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith) discussed the possibility of changing our plans.
"We'll let (Lion Heart) work Monday and then decide."
Lion Heart, who will be ridden by Mike Smith, is a winner of three of his four career starts for earnings of $350,800, including the Hollywood Futurity (gr. I) and Hollywood Prevue Stakes (gr. III). He was second to Imperialism in his last start, the March 6 San Rafael Stakes (gr. II).
Acccording to Biancone, Lion Heart will work five furlongs on Monday.
Lion Heart may skip Santa Anita for Toyota Blue Grass.
