Bluegrass Cup G2

Megs The Cat  14/1  PP3

Hennessy x Ferdinand x Seattle Slew

Stable: Zzz2912

Jockey: M Ketron 8.5% / 26%

POVS Dosage: 12 total points (5-0-5-2-0) CD: .67 DI: 1.67

Race Career: 12 6 1 1 $266,540

Megs The Cat hasn’t had graded success since two, but will look to get over that hump this week. Is coming off an impressive victory in the Weekends Over Handicap Stakes. He showed off his knack for stalking just off the lead in that race in which he ran a blazing 107 speed. Megs is lightly raced with only 12 career races, and should be fresh for this one. Megs The Cat could be a real nice surprise here in Kentucky.

Pyralis  7/1  PP4

Bandini x Forest Wildcat x Wild Again

Stable: Kbsweet

Jockey: B Sipe 10.6% / 32%

POVS Dosage: 8 total points (3-4-1-0-0) CD: 1.25 DI: 15

Race Career: 16 5 4 2 $1,495,960

This dazzling colt finished 2^nd in Smackdown at six furlongs back in July, and more recently2nd in Equinics. Now Pyralis is returning to the track to further progress his legacy in what is sure to be a tough battle here in Kentucky. Pyralis will most likely stalk from the center of the pack, and look to make a late kick towards glory. I wouldn’t dare bet against him.

Wolf’s Slam  11/1  PP5

French Deputy x Grandslam x Dixieland Band

Stable: Graywolf4

Jockey: I Hoge 8.6% / 27%

POVS Dosage: 4 total points (2-1-1-0-0) CD: 1.25 DI: 7

Race Career: 24 8 3 4 $250,843

This chestnut colt is coming off a string of disappointing runs. He hasn’t won since the G2 No Country For Sprints Stakes in which he managed to just get the lead. He did hold on nicely however to his lead, and expanded on that lead to finish with a monstrous 111 speed factor. That race alone I think shows the tremendous potential of this fine colt, but fatigue may be playing a factor in his recent string of disappointing runs. I think Wolf’s Slam must stalk in this race. His mediocre gate speeds suggest he might struggle to take the lead early in this field, and he may need to lay off the gas pedal at the start of this one to succeed.

Foxy Mesa  13/1 PP6

Sky Mesa x Forty Niner x Seattle Slew

Stable: Docpmg

Jockey: S Ledwith 7% / 27%

POVS Dosage: 12 total points (6-2-3-0-1) CD: 1 DI:3.8

Race Career: 12 4 1 2 $333,430

Foxy Mesa was a favorite heading into this years Smackdown six furlong dirt sprint event. Something went horribly wrong and Foxy Mesa had a set back, but he rebounded quick and managed a 4^th in the Delpenn King’s Bishop Stakes. Assuming Foxy Mesa is back to form and sharp means we could be looking at a major rebound for this fine colt. I would like to see Foxy Mesa do some stalking in this race, and really come of age with a nice run. He is lightly raced with world class talent, so we may see a big run here in Kentucky.

Cherokee Warrior  15/1  PP7

Cherokee Run x Pulpit x Hennessey

Stable: Riverman

Jockey: B Alt 8.7% / 28%

POVS Dosage: 8 total points (4-1-3-0-0) CD: 1.13 DI: 4.33

Race Career: 12 5 3 1 $93,609

At one point it looked like we might have rain for Saturdays race but the skies cleared bringing plenty of sun. Now this entry doesn’t look as promising as it had. Maybe Cherokee Warrior can dig deep and get a breakout run. He certainly has the pedigree.

Corporate Finance  9/2  PP8

With Approval x Belong To Me x Seattle Slew

Stable: Grandview

Jockey: D Givens 20.8% / 48%

POVS Dosage: 24 total points (3-6-15-0-0) CD:  .5 DI: 2.2

Race Career: 18 9 2 1 $1,105,972

Corporate Finance leads this group of runners with a whopping 244 stakes point. This beautiful roan colt proves that there is no shame in having a sprinter. With over a million in lifetime earnings no one can deny that Corporate Finance hasn’t been fantastic, but if he is going to be fantastic today he may have to get out of the gate quicker than usual. Will be interesting to see if he can continue his three year old dominance at this distance, or if his kick is too little too late. At any rate Corporate Finance is sure to have his nose near the wire in this one. You can bet this Equinics Champion will be ready to race on Saturday.

Henny Again  10/1  PP9

Henny Hughes x Wild Again x Danzig

Stable: Henny

Jockey: L Cardinal 8.7% / 24%

POVS Dosage: 12 total points (3-4-5-0-0) CD: .83 DI: 3.8

Race Career: 11 5 0 3 $405,515

In May Henny Again won an allowance race with a 105 speed factor. Then the colt was sent to Smackdown in July. He came into that race a long shot, and left with a stunning upset performance win. He upset some of the finest sprinters in the sim, and proved he belonged with the elite. Now he is coming off a G3 win in the Chicago Cubs Sprint to the Finish Stakes. At this point one has to wonder if any three year old can upstage this dynamic Henny Hughes colt.

Mount Diablo  10/1  PP10

Mineshaft x Deputy Minister x Easy Goer

Stable: Zwylde

Jockey: S O’Calsew Returned No Data

POVS Dosage: 14 total points (5-2-7-0-0) CD: .86 DI: 3

Race Career: 11 6 1 0 $473,220

Mount Diablo is coming off two wins in a row with the last being a monstrous 110 speed figure in the DelPenn King’s Bishop Stakes. In that race he defeated Judas Has Spoken and Foxy Mesa who is racing in this field. He has showed excellent gate speed at times and looks like he may be able to go for the wire to wire win. Regardless of tactics Mount Diablo has shown he is a force to be reckoned with in Kentucky this week. With only 11 starts he is certainly fresh, and if his last race is any indication he is quickly becoming a force in the sprinting world of racing.

Gone For Royal  11/1  PP11

Gone West x Storm Cat x Royal Ski

Stable: Jetster

Jockey: D Sherman 10.4% / 31%

POVS Dosage: 20 total points (9-7-4-0-0) CD: 1.25 DI: 9

Race Career: 14 6 3 0 $526,720

Gone For Royal ran 4^th in a tough 17 horse field at equinics over six furlongs. He won the G2 Pea Shooter’s Handicap back in May against some very tough runners such as Procedure and Catlike Strength. He seems to be sent for the lead in each race he runs. I expect he will go for the lead once again in what is expected to be a very fast Bluegrass Sprint. Will be interesting to see if he can take the lead and sustain it.

Feedlot Cowboy  15/1  PP12

Gold Legend x Alydar x Hail to Reason

Stable: Dwightski

Jockey: K Bortz 8.4% / 26%

POVS Dosage: 32 total points (11-4-17-0-0) CD: .81 DI: 2.76

Race Career: 22 7 4 1 $340,290

Feedlot Cowboy has bounced around between turf and dirt in his 22 race career. Just two races back he finished 7^th in the Notion Teddy Stakes with a 104 speed factor. He will be a long shot today. Nonetheless, Feedlot Cowboy brings excellent pedigree and will try and make the step up in class now on dirt.