Angles Abound in Opening Verse

Former Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Regally Ready will break from the far outside post as the tepid 3/1 morning line favorite. The eight year-old gelding has plenty of back class, but did not show his typical form returning from a four month layoff while finishing fifth of seven in an optional claiming event March 8 at Fair Grounds. Since that poor showing as the even-money favorite, the Steve Asmussen trainee has returned to work sharply at Churchill Downs including a pair of bullet works May 3 and May 10. Jockey Ricardo Santana gets the mount and should have Regally Ready forwardly-placed.

Departing tries green for first time 

Departing (7/2) is an interesting item, as the Al Stall trainee makes his turf and 2015 seasonal debuts. The son of War Front is well-bred for the lawn and has proven himself as capable stakes performer on dirt having won 7 of 15 starts including three graded stakes victories. Departing has not raced since finishing seventh in the Grade 1 Clark Handicap November 28 at Churchill. Regular jockey Robbie Albarado will be in the irons breaking from post five.

Can the Pizza Man deliver?    

The Pizza Man, also 7/2 on the morning line is another runner making his 2015 debut. The Roger Brueggemann trainee was successful last year competing at longer distances against stakes foes, but also won the 1 1/16 Black Tie Affair at Arlington. Brueggemann connects at a 14% clip with runners returning from layoffs greater than 180 days.