Dennis O’Neill’s keen eye has yielded two Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winners and another of his sale finds, Irap, is en route to Churchill Downs following a stunning upset victory in the April 8 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2).

Two of the four group races on Chantilly’s April 9 card might have unleashed a pair of serious contenders for the upcoming classics in Gold Luck and Graphite.

Trainer Eddie Kenneally said morning of April 9 that the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) winner Sailor’s Valentine, who won by a half-length at odds of 22-1, will be aimed at the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs May 5.

Hall of Fame trainer has 81 grade 1 wins but has never won the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).

The relative quiet surroundings of Keeneland’s Barn 43 provided the perfect setting for the connections of Irap the morning of April 9 as they went about digesting what the son of Tiznow pulled off the evening before.

Multiple grade 1 winner Lady Eli was the headline performer during a star-studded morning of turf workers at Keeneland April 9 with the dark bay mare turning in a sharp five-furlong drill in advance of the April 15 Coolmore Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T).

After her trainer’s cue, the 4-year-old Medaglia d’Oro filly breezed through the turn and into the stretch for her first timed workout of 2017 and covered three furlongs in the easiest :35 4/5.

Trainer Ian Wilkes had his humor intact and his perspective on point Sunday morning less than 24 hours after McCraken finished third in the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2), the colt’s first loss in five career starts.

Gaston and Anthony Grant’s veteran performer Green Gratto broke through for his first top-level score in his 53rd career start, holding off 4-5 favorite Unified at the wire to pull the upset in the $400,000 Carter Handicap (G1).

Joe Turner’s hombred Sircat Sally extended her undefeated streak to five when she easily coasted to a win in the $150,000 Providencia Stakes (G3T) April 8 at Santa Anita Park.

After running third in her last two graded stakes attempts, Golden Eagle Farm’s Hillhouse High broke through in the $200,000 Royal Heroine Stakes (G2T) when holding off a late run from Mokat, giving trainer Richard Baltas the 1-2 finish. 

Keeneland officials reported a spike in attendance for this year’s Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) card and improved on-track handle, although total pari-mutuel handle was slightly down.

Gormley showed a different dimension in a grind-it-out Santa Anita Derby (G1) victory.

Following in the footsteps of former stablemate Beholder, the lightly raced daughter of Union Rags romped by 11 3/4 lengths April 8 in the $400,000 Santa Anita Oaks (G1).

Reddam Racing’s Irap moved to the lead turning for home and held off a late challenge from grade 1 winner Practical Joke to upset the 93rd edition of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland.

After running third in her last two graded stakes attempts, Golden Eagle Farm’s Hillhouse High broke through in the $200,000 Royal Heroine Stakes (G2T) when holding off a late run from Mokat, giving trainer Richard Baltas the 1-2 finish. 

Miss Sky Warrior will head to the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) on a roll after securing her fifth straight victory April 8 in the $300,000 Gazelle Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Paulassilverlining proved the astute judgment of Juddmonte Farms’ advisors April 8 in the $300,000 Madison Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, gamely defeating pacesetter Constellation in her first start for her new connections.

Gaston and Anthony Grant’s veteran performer Green Gratto broke through for his first top-level score in his 53rd career start, holding off 4-5 favorite Unified at the wire to pull the upset in the $400,000 Carter Handicap (G1).