Sy Dog (Slumber {GB}) looks to keep his perfect record intact as the likely favorite in the GII American Turf S. at Churchill Downs Saturday. A decisive winner at first asking at Belmont in October, the dark bay rallied to win by a nose in Aqueduct's Central Park S. Nov. 27. He was last seen slingshotting to victory in Keeneland's GIII Kentucky Utilities Transylvania S. last out Apr. 8.
Transylvania third-place finisher Coinage (Tapit) also returns here. Winner of last term's GIII With Anticipation S. at Saratoga, the chestnut checked in third in the GIII Kitten's Joy S. Feb. 5 and captured the Palm Beach S. Mar. 5 prior to his run in the Transylvania.
Chad Brown has won this event three times and he has a strong shot to get his fourth win Saturday with Portfolio Company (Kitten's Joy). Following his debut score at the Spa in July with a second in the With Anticipation in September, the bay missed by just a head in Belmont's GII Pilgrim S. Oct. 3. The bay was last seen fading to eighth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf S. Nov. 5.
George Weaver saddles a live contender in Main Event (Bernardini). Graduating at third asking when switched to the turf at Gulfstream Jan. 30, the bay missed by a neck in the Palm Beach. He rebounded with a front-running win in that venue's Cutler Bay S. next out Apr. 2.
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