Seven Colts Line up in Grade 3 American Derby

2/1 morning line favorite, World Approval, will break from post six under jockey Jose Lezcano after finishing fourth in the Pennine Ridge Stakes May 30 at Belmont. Prior to that effort, the Mark Casse trainee ran a credible third in the Grade 2 American Turf Stakes on May 2 at Churchill Downs. The son of Northern Afleet has won 2 of 6 career starts, and will be making his first appearance at Arlington Park.

Firespike comfortable back on grass

Firespike, the 3/1 second choice, draws the outside post for trainer Michael Maker, as the colt tries to rebound following a seventh-place finish in the American Turf. That effort came after a trio of races on Polytrack surfaces in the spring that yielded a win in the OBS Championship Stakes at Ocala Training Center, a fifth-place performance in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes and a third in the Grade 3 Spiral Stakes – both at Turfway Park. Julien Leparoux gets the call aboard Firespike.

Nun the Less looks to bounce back  

Trainer Chris Block will saddle Nun the Less (7/2), another colt exiting the American Turf where he finished sixth. Prior to that effort, the son of Candy Ride had not finished out of the money in his first six starts. Nun the Less has won 3 of 7 starts  of earnings of $118,312.