Hansen (far right): switched from Wood Memorial to Blue Grass Stakes
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)Change of race target for Kentucky hope Hansen
USA: Significant news on the Kentucky Derby front in recent days, when connections of second favourite Hansen changed their minds over the Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner's final preparatory outing.
Last year's two-year-old champion has been switched from the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 7 to the Blue Grass Stakes, another Grade 1 a week later on the Polytrack at Keeneland.
As a result, Godolphin's Alpha will now run in the Wood rather than the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds.
Eclipse Award-winning jockey Ramon Dominguez is regular rider of both colts. Currently sidelined with a shoulder injury, he is expected back in time to take up the engagements.
"At this moment, at this hour, we are going to the Wood Memorial," said Alpha's trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, speaking to the Blood-Horse.
"We were going to Louisiana, but with Hansen not running and Ramon becoming available, it's a big plus for us. We now will get our preferred jockeywho has won on him twice, and it will be in New York where we feel like is our home."
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