Major Dude Bypasses KY Derby, Reroutes to American Turf

In a filled $500,000 American Turf Stakes (G2T) May 6 at Churchill Downs, Spendthrift Farm's Major Dude  is set to take his first spin around the Louisville oval when he takes on 13 other 3-year-olds for the 1 1/16 mile turf event.

The Todd Pletcher trainee, who bypassed the Kentucky Derby (G1) after not earning enough qualifying points, received grade 2 honors last year in the Pilgrim Stakes (G2T) but has not been back up to the level since finishing his 2022 season with a ninth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T).

From three starts this year he has not finished worse than second, picking up a win in the Feb. 4 Kitten's Joy Stakes (G3T) and coming runner-up in both the Jan. 7 Dania Beach Stakes and last out in Turfway Park's March 25 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) over synthetic.

Purchased by his owners for $550,000 from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment at Fasig-Tipton's New York Saratoga Select Yearling Sale in 2021, the son of Bolt d'Oro   has put $436,095 in the bank from eight starts.

Less experienced stablemate Far Bridge  will look for his first graded win in the American Turf for owner LSU Stables after running undefeated in two starts in maiden special weight and allowance optional claiming company this year.

Carl Spackler , a son of Lope De Vega  who is named after Bill Murray's character in the film Caddyshack, takes his first swing at the graded level after an impressive maiden win over a mile at Gulfstream Park Feb. 25 where he came home a good 8 3/4 lengths ahead. The colt is conditioned by Chad Brown for e Five Racing Thoroughbreds.

Running back after a win in the April 7 Transylvania Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland is Vicky Oliver trainee Mo Stash  who finished just off the board at last year's World Championships in the Juvenile Turf (G1) for owner BBN Racing.

With three of his six starts coming over the Keeneland turf course, the son of Mo Town   will test the Churchill surface for the first time.

Three Chimneys Farm's Funtastic Again , who came third last out in the Jeff Ruby, makes his first grass stakes appearance in the American Turf. The $60,000 purchase from Hunter Valley Farm's consignment to the 2020 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale broke his maiden at Saratoga Race Course last August, and earned his first upper-level win earlier this year in the Leonatus Stakes at Turfway for trainer Wesley Ward.

Completing the field are grade 2 winner Andthewinneris , stakes winners Talk of the Nation , Webslinger , Otago , Behind Enemy Lines , and Johannes , along with winners Anglophile , Desert Duke , and Mendelssohns March .