Carpe Diem Looks to Seize the Day in Grade 1 Bluegrass

Carpe Diem (1/1) won his third start in four tries and became a multiple-graded stakes winner March 7 while easily dispatching seven overmatched rivals in the Grade 2 Tampa Derby.  The three year-old son of Giant’s Causeway has done little wrong in his brief career with the lone blemish on his record coming in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile where he still managed to finish second after a wide trip. Carpe Diem will be making his second start off a 45-180 day layoff which has proven successful for trainer Todd Pletcher at a 25% clip.  Carpe Diem has also shown an affinity for the local track, winning the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Futurity by 6 ¼ at Keeneland last October. 

Ocho ships east

Ocho Ocho Ocho (6/1) was undefeated through his first three starts, including a signature win the Grade 3 $1million Delta Jackpot last November.  Things did not go smoothly, however, for the James Cassidy trainee in his three year-old unveiling March 7 in the Grade 3 San Felipe where the colt languished to an eighth place finish in a field of ten.  Ocho Ocho Ocho will try to get back on track after shipping across the country.

Class Class can share 

Classy Class (6/1) ran a fine third in the Grade 3 Withers February 15 and settled for the show again in the  Grade 3 Gotham Stakes  on March 15.