Sierra Leone Has the Edge Over Dornoch in Blue Grass Stakes Rematch

The $1 million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes Saturday at Keeneland brings together a strong field of 11 in one of the last three major prep races for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve in four weeks, the other two being the Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino in New York and the Santa Anita Derby in California.

The Blue Grass, held at 1 1/8 miles, features a rematch between Dornoch and Sierra Leone, who were separated by a nose when first and second, respectively, in the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes at the same distance last fall. Since then, Dornoch won the Grade 2 Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes while Sierra Leone won the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes, so both colts enter the Blue Grass in peak form. Another horse entering off a strong effort is Encino, who won the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes five weeks ago. Epic Ride finished second in that race and is another who may have a say in the Blue Grass outcome.