Friday's Grade 2 American Turf Stakes from Churchill Downs has attracted a full gate of fourteen 3-year-olds and
Banned has been made the 3-1 morning line favorite.
Banned, trained by Tom Proctor for Glen Hill Farm, smartly captured his first two turf starts last year and ended his 2-year-old campaign with a respectable 5th place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. He was the third head on the finish line in his needed Keeneland allowance return and should sit a nice tactical trip under Garrett Gomez.
A nose dashed the four-bagger hopes of
Great Mills in the Transylvania on April 8. Steve Asmussen's early-pressing threat might get brave if able to sneak away early.
Close Ally and
Cozy Kitten ran 1-2 in a recent Keeneland allowance and both have the ability to compete here.
A couple of recent stakes winners,
Air Support and
Surrey Star, are stuck in the two outside posts.
Memen, Kippers N' Eggs, Smarter Than Ever, Man of Strife, Jakesam, Swagger Jack, Tag V Eye, and Private Prize are also entered.