Big Blue Kitten Heads Woodford Turf Classic

Big Blue Kitten, the champion older turf male of 2015, headlines a field of 13 for the 29th running of the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT) May 7 at Churchill Downs.



The Woodford Reserve Turf Classic is one of six graded stakes leading up to the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), and is run at 1 1/8 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course. It goes as the final stakes before the Kentucky Derby, with a 5:25 p.m. ET post time.



Trained by Chad Brown, 8-year-old Big Blue Kitten will be making his 2016 debut after a campaign that included two grade I victories and a third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) for breeders Ken and Sarah Ramsey. He was then sold to Calumet Farm, and will make his first start for that operation here. Joe Bravo has the mount from post 12.

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Chief among Big Blue Kitten's rivals is Slumber, also trained by Brown. Owned by Michael Dubb, Sheep Pond Partners and Bethlehem Stables, Slumber will be making his 2016 debut as well. He was a half-length behind Big Blue Kitten in the Breeders' Cup Turf to conclude a campaign that also included a victory in the Manhattan (gr. IT). Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount from post six.

Other rivals of interest include grade II winner Bolo, who finished second last out in the March 12 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (gr. IT), and multiple graded stakes-placed Tourist, third in the April 15 Maker's 46 Mile (gr. IT) in his most recent start.