Brilliant Berti Returns in Arlington Stakes

Brilliant Berti  returns May 31 in the $275,000 Arlington Stakes (G3T) going 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs, a course where he is a perfect 4-for-4. He will take on Carl Pollard's Mercante , recently a game second to Spirit of St Louis  in the Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) May 3.

Klein Racing's homebred Brilliant Berti comes into Saturday's race off a win in the May 1 Opening Verse Stakes at Churchill Downs where he defeated the Steve Asmussen-trained Lagynos , winner of the Commonwealth Turf Stakes (G3T) last fall. Lagynos returns for a rematch Saturday while Asmussen also enters graded stakes winner Gigante , who finished ninth last out in the Turf Classic.

A 4-year-old son of Noble Mission , Brilliant Berti has earned $1,812,965 from nine starts that include six wins. Brian Hernandez Jr. has the mount for trainer Cherie Devaux.

Mercante won in graded stakes company at first asking in the Kentucky Cup Classic (G3) at Turfway Park March 22. The Brian Knippenberg trainee then finished an encouraging second in the Turf Classic under Joseph Ramos, who has the mount Saturday.

Jordan Wycoff's Call Protection  is fresh off an impressive allowance win April 29 at Churchill Downs, drawing clear by 2 1/2 lengths to establish a new track record. Irad Ortiz Jr. will ride for trainer Michael Maker.