Will Paddy O’Prado get the luck o’ the Irish in Saturday’s Grade 2 Colonial Turf Cup? The Dale Romans trainee got some respect in the Preakness off his third place finish in the Kentucky Derby, but could only manage sixth, beaten about 10 lengths by Lookin At Lucky. Paddy O’Prado’s maiden win came over Gulfstream’s turf course in the G3 Palm Beach and he returns to the turf surface here going 1 3/16 miles. Dean’s Kitten, runner-up in the Palm Beach, is the other Derby contender (14th) entered here. Also expected to start are a pair with three straight turf victories each: Doubles Partner, winner of the American Turf (G2) at Churchill last time for Todd Pletcher, and Two Notch Road who has taken down his three wins at Monmouth.

The Colonial Downs undercard feature is the G3 All Along for fillies and mares over nine furlongs, also on the turf course. The contentious field of eight include Tizaqueena, Dynaslew, and Shared Account, who came off a layoff to finish 4th in the G3 Gallorette at Pimlico in her most recent outing. Dynaslew’s most recent was a win in the G3 Beaugay at Belmont and Tizaqueena comes in a winner over Polytrack in the G3 Arlington Matron. She has won over dirt and turf this year as well.

Saturday’s Monmouth feature is the G3 Pegasus, for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Preakness contenders Jackson Bend (a close 3rd) and Schoolyard Dreams (9th) are expected to start, along with four others. Two of those, Afleet Again and Nacho Friend, come out of the Spend a Buck where they finished 3rd and 4th, respectively.

Gozzip Girl makes her seasonal debut in Saturday’s G2 New York Stakes at Belmont Park. As a 3-year-old last season she won the G2 Sands Point and G1 American Oaks, but this 1 ¼-mile test on turf looks like a tough spot for a return off an eight-month layoff. Among Gozzip Girl’s challengers is a pair from Roger Attfield’s barn, Ave and Lady Shakespeare. Ave just missed in the May 15 Gallorette at Pimlico, while Lady Shakespeare took down the 1 1/2-mile Bewitch by 2 1/2 lengths last out at Keeneland.

Golden Itiz won an optional claimer by 11 ¼ lengths April 28 and that was enough to convince trainer Ron Ellis to enter him in Saturday’s G3 Affirmed Handicap at Hollywood Park. The Affirmed, run over 1 1/16 miles of Cushion Track, also has attracted eight other 3-year-olds, including Alphie’s Bet, last seen finishing 9th against older horses in the G2 Jim Murray Handicap May 15.

Sunday’s Hollywood feature is the G3 Will Rogers, a 1 1/16-mile turf contest for 3-year-olds. The one to watch here is Hudson Landing. Not able to break out of the maiden ranks in the East, trainer Bill Morey purchased the son of Maria’s Mon in Florida and brought him back to Golden Gate where he’s reeled off three straight wins.

Tags: Affirmed Handicap, Afleet Again, All Along Stakes, American Turf, arlington matron, belmont park, Colonial Downs, Colonial Turf Cup, Dale Romans, Dean's Kitten, Doubles Partner, Dynaslew, Gozzip Girl, Hollywood Park, jackson bend, KBC Horse Supplies, kentucky derby, lookin at lucky, monmouth park, Nacho Friend, New York Stakes, Paddy O'Prado, Pegasus Stakes, Schoolyard Dreams, Shared Account, spend a buck, Tizaqueena, Weekend Stakes: Where to Watch, Will Rogers Handicap

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