Carpe Diem takes Blue Grass by 3 lengths; Derby up next (The Associated Press)
Carpe Diem seized the lead near the top of the stretch after stalking early leader Ocho Ocho Ocho and drew away to a three-length victory in Saturday’s $750,000 Blue Grass, cementing his place as one of the top contenders for next month’s Kentucky Derby. Danzig Moon finished strong for second and returned $7.80 and $5. Ocho Ocho Ocho was another 2 1/2 lengths back and paid $3.20 to show. Carpe Diem finished the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.77 under jockey John Velazquez.