Shades of Spectacular Bid : Chief’s Crown May Be Big Favorite in Blue Grass Stakes Thursday

Once considered the premier prep race for the Kentucky Derby, the winner of the Blue Grass Stakes has won the Run for the Roses only once since 1973.

But last year’s champion 2-year-old Chief’s Crown, with Donald MacBeth aboard, will go to the post next Thursday in the $150,000-added Blue Grass at Keeneland looking much like the last horse to win both races--Spectacular Bid in 1979.

Chief’s Crown, the winner of last month’s disputed Flamingo Stakes and the leading money winner among Derby hopefuls with more than $1 million in career earnings, figures to be a prohibitive favorite in a small field.

Six years ago, Spectacular Bid, who also won the Preakness, the second jewel of racing’s triple crown, went to the post as a 1-10 favorite and proved the bettors correct as he outran three other colts to win by seven lengths.

“We’re still concerned about every horse in the field,” said Roger Laurin, who trains Chief’s Crown for Star Crown Stables. “They wouldn’t have entered if they didn’t think it was worthwhile.”

The final entries and post positions will not be drawn until Tuesday morning, but it’s expected that Banner Bob, Floating Reserve, Huddle Up and Under Orders will also go to post in the 1 1/8-miles Blue Grass. Only Chief’s Crown, the winter book favorite, is among the top contenders for the 111th Derby, which will be run May 4 at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

Observers say this year’s small field for the Blue Grass can be attributed to several factors: trainers not wanting to run their colts against Chief’s Crown, the addition of a $300,000 Derby prep at Garden State Park in New Jersey and a growing feeling that running in the Blue Grass and Derby just nine days apart may be too much of a strain on a 3-year-old.

Veteran trainer Woody Stephens, who handles another top Derby contender in Stephan’s Odyssey, chose to tune up his colt in the Lexington Stakes April 16.

“I’ve won the Blue Grass several times and then didn’t win the Derby with those horses,” Stephens said after Stephan’s Odyssey captured the Lexington Stakes by a length. “I feel like it might be better to give a horse the time off; the 16 days between races.”

A year ago, Stephens adopted the same philosophy, running eventual Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Swale in the Lexington, rather than the Blue Grass.

But Laurin says each horse is different and Chief’s Crown will be able to put together two strong back-to-back performances.

“I think it really depends on the individual horse,” Laurin said. “For us, the Blue Grass came right in the schedule we wanted. There have been a number of horses that have run here and won in the Derby.”

During one 10-year period, from 1963-1972, six of the 10 Blue Grass Stakes winners went on to win the Derby. Riva Ridge won in 1972 and Northern Dancer did the same in 1964. Each also won another triple crown race.

“Sometimes the big, tougher horses can handle it,” said J.J. Sarner, who trains Banner Bob. “My horse isn’t, but he may surprise me.”

Sarner said Banner Bob, the winner of the $350,000 Jim Beam Stakes with earnings of $415,851, may skip the Derby, depending on his performance in the Blue Grass.

“My horse usually needs some time off between races,” said Sarner. “Let’s say I’m just looking for wherever the competition is the lightest. I may just ship him to Pimlico (for the Preakness).”

Banner Bob, owned by Sharon and William Walsh, has scored six victories in 11 starts and has never failed to run in the money.

While Chief’s Crown, the No. 1 money winner among the Derby nominees, and Banner Bob, who is fifth, don’t need a big check in the Blue Grass to qualify for the Derby, the other three expected entrants need a victory.

The Derby field is limited to 20 horses, so if more than 20 horses are entered, the starting field is determined by the horses with the best career earnings.

Floating Reserve is 33rd on the money list of leading Derby prospects with $38,425 in earnings. Huddle Up has earned $24,000, good for 38th. And Under Orders is No. 40, with $4,500 in career winnings.