Ministers Wild Cat to Start in Affirmed

Ministers Wild Cat, scratched from the Laz Barrera Memorial Stakes May 26 because of a cough, is scheduled to make his next start in the $100,000-added Affirmed Handicap (gr. III) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 mile June 22, trainer Neil Drysdale confirmed Friday.

Ministers Wild Cat, a royally-bred son of Deputy Minister out of champion mare Hollywood Wildcat, was considered a Triple Crown prospect after winning two of his first three starts. In his last start April 19, he finished fifth as the favorite in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland.

Victor Espinoza has the call back in the Affirmed, a prep for the $400,000 Swaps Stakes (gr. II) July 13.

Other probable starters include Eye of the Tiger and Outta Here, fifth and seventh-place finishers respectively in the Kentucky Derby; Blazonry, winner of the Laz Barrera; Chief Planner, winner of the Snow Chief Stakes; and Ender's Shadow, an impressive allowance winner here June 4.