Often the bridesmaid but rarely the bride, Crafty C.T. looks to headline Sunday's running of the $250,000-added Commonwealth Breeders' Cup (gr. II) at Keeneland. Owned by C.T. Grether, Crafty C.T. enters off a second in the San Carlos Handicap at Santa Anita last month in his initial start of the year.
The 5-year-old by Crafty Prospector rallied strongly to take third in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) behind Orientate. He then ran a strong third behind Congaree in the Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I).
Buckram Oak Farm's Najran looks like a big player in the Commonwealth coming off a third in the Hal's Hope Handciap at Gulfstream Park in January. The Nick Zito trainee by Runaway Groom has won five of nine starts, including Keeneland's Parryville Stakes. Speed Hunter, an Alydeed gelding, was second most recently in the Taylor Special Handicap at Fair Grounds in February.
Roman Dancer will be saddled by Christopher Passch. The Bay Shore Stakes winner last ran New Year's Day, finishing unplaced behind Kona Gold in the El Conejo Handicap.
The field for the Commonwealth Breeders' Cup, in post position order with riders:
1) Smooth Jazz (Edgar Prado)
2) Multiple Choice (Shane Sellers)
3) Binthebest (Jose Santos)
4) Najran (Eibar Coa)
5) Roman Dancer (Kent Desormeaux)
6) Crafty C.T. (Jerry Bailey)
7) Speed Hunter (Pat Day)
