all good in Zandon camp following Toyota blue grass victory

It was all smiles Sunday morning in trainer Chad Brown’s barn following the 2½-length victory by Jeff Drown’s Zandon in the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G1), which secured a spot in the starting gate for the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 7. 

“Everything is all good with him this morning,” said Baldo Hernandez, who is overseeing Brown’s Keeneland string. “He ate up everything last night.” 

Brown had indicated after the race that Zandon would remain at Keeneland for the time being before going to Churchill Downs “maybe a couple of weeks before the Derby.” 

Another horse that could go to Churchill with Zandon is Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables and Robert LaPenta’s Dolce Zel (FR), who finished second in the Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association. 

Should she go to Louisville, Dolce Zel could point to the May 6, $500,000 Edgewood (G2) Presented by Forcht Bank to be run at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.  

“She came back good,” Hernandez said. “That was a good filly (Spendarella) that beat her.”