By Joe Bianca
Reddam Racing's Irap (Tiznow) shocked the world when capturing the GII Toyota Blue Grass S. at 31-1 Apr. 8, and it appeared that performance was indeed a fluke when he backed up to finish 18th in the GI Kentucky Derby next out. The $300,000 OBS March buy legitimized his Keeneland heroics with a game victory in the GIII Ohio Derby last out, however, and he'll look to capture another midwest derby tally as the favorite in the GIII Indiana Derby Saturday night.
The bay colt, who had most of his early success racing close to the pace, showed a new dimension at Thistledown by rallying from sixth to run down Girvin (Tale of Ekati) in the closing strides. Trainer Doug O'Neill elected not to send his charge back to California after the race, as irap recorded a five-furlong breeze in :59 4/5 (2/8) July 7 at Prairie Meadows in the interim.
Calumet Farm's homebred Wild Shot (Trappe Shot) will once again try his hand at two turns after cutting back to success this spring. Seventh after setting the tempo in Irap's Blue Grass, the bay scored a powerful victory in the GIII Pat Day Mile May 6 at Churchill before running seventh in the GII Woody Stephens S. last out June 10 at Belmont.
Chuck Hovitz's Awesome Saturday (Any Given Saturday) takes his first crack in stakes company. An impressive debut winner Feb. 25 at Fair Grounds, the chestnut was a close second to impressive Sir Barton S. hero No Mo Dough (Uncle Mo) May 6 at Churchill and scored an eye-catching allowance/optional claiming victory June 25 in Louisville after rushing up on a fast pace.
'TDN Rising Star' Untrapped (Trappe Shot), third with a wide journey in the Ohio Derby, will look to break through at this level after placing in four graded stakes so far this season.
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