Kid Cruz, Madefromlucky Clash in Excelsior

Set to make his first graded stakes attempt since a fourth-place finish in the 2014 Travers Stakes (gr. I), Vina Del Mar Thoroughbreds and Black Swan Stable's Kid Cruz will look to add more black type to his résumé when he faces four competitors in the $200,000 Excelsior Stakes (gr. III) April 9 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The 1 1/4-mile test for 4-year-olds and up is scheduled as the first of five graded stakes on Saturday's card anchored by the $1 million Wood Memorial (gr. I).

The 5-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid   won last time out Feb. 13 in the John B. Campbell Stakes at Laurel Park. Previous to that race, in his first start of the year Jan. 16, the Linda Rice trainee came up short to finish fourth in the Jazil Stakes at the Big A. 

"He's probably gotten more time than he needed between races but we are where we are," Rice said. "I'm always concerned going a mile and a quarter that there's not enough pace in the race—that always concerns me. In his shorter races, there's usually a more honest pace for him to close into, but it is what it is, and we'll give it a shot."

Installed as the 9-5 morning line favorite, Kid Cruz will depart from post 2 with Jose Ortiz in the irons. 

Trainer Todd Pletcher will enter Madefromlucky for Cheyenne Stables and Mac Nicol. The 4-year-old son of Lookin At Lucky   began his 2016 campaign at Gulfstream Park, where he finished eighth in the Donn Handicap (gr. I). In his most recent race March 13 in the Stymie Stakes at Aqueduct, the two-time grade II winner ran an encouraging third.

"He's training well," said Byron Hughes, assistant to Pletcher. "He came out of his last race in good form and we're hoping for another big effort. He seems to be more mature (as a 4-year-old), physically and mentally."

With Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez in the irons, Madefromlucky will leave from post 4 as the 2-1 second-choice on the morning line.