Mafaaz seeks respect in today’s Blue Grass Stakes

ASSOCIATED PRESS

LEXINGTON, Ky. — John Gosden was a young trainer in California more than 20 years ago when the chatty Englishman asked Hall of Famer Jack Van Berg if he really thought Alysheba could win the 1987 Kentucky Derby.

“He said ‘John I ain’t going hunting with a pop gun,’ ” Gosden said with a laugh. “That’s the story. You bring a proper horse [to the Derby] but don’t come with a lightweight, it’s expensive.”

It’s a lesson Gosden and Shadwell Stables owner Sheik Hamdan have learned over the years during their highly successful careers that include wins in almost every major race except for the Derby.

They hope rising English star Mafaaz has the firepower to fill the only major hole left their respective resumes.

Mafaaz will try to remedy that when he starts from the No. 5 post in today’s Grade 1, $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. Gosden entered Mafaaz in the 11‚Ñ8th-mile Blue Grass to see how he matches up against some of America’s top 3-year-olds. He’ll go off as a 12-1 pick behind 3-1 favorite Hold Me Back in the field of 11.

The chestnut colt already has a spot in the Run for the Roses after winning the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes at Kempton Park near London last month.

The race — the first of its kind — was designed to help generate global interest in the wildly popular but highly U.S.-centric Derby, where foreign horses have struggled for years. Canonero II won the Derby in 1971, but overseas challengers have been rare over the last few decades.

Arkansas rematch

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Right now, Old Fashioned is favored to win the Arkansas Derby — and only the Arkansas Derby.

He was one of the top choices for the Kentucky Derby but a loss in the Rebel Stakes has given racing analysts a bit of pause.

The colt will try to redeem himself today in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park. If Old Fashioned wins impressively, he’ll be right back in the mix among Derby favorites.

Old Fashioned (9-5) is the morning-line favorite this weekend, and Win Willy (7-2) is the second choice. Ten horses are entered in the 11‚Ñ8-mile race.

In the Rebel Win Willy passed Old Fashioned in the stretch to win as a 57-1 shot.