Ward trio looms large in Indian Summer Stakes

A field of eight 2-year-olds will travel 5 1/2 furlongs on the Keeneland turf in Sunday’s $150,000 Indian Summer S. The “Win and You’re In” dash will give the winner an automatic entry to the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2).

Indian Summer Analysis

The tempo could be rapid early on with every member in the cast capable of flashing big early pace.

Indian Summer Contenders

#1 COWAN -- Chestnut son of Kantharos made a mild run to be third in the Kentucky Down Juvenile Turf Sprint most recently for Asmussen. Chestnut colt gets a tough post inside in a field full of speed, and his best chance will be to take back early and make one run late. Santana has the call.

#2 BODENHEIMER -- Upset contender was victorious in his first pair of assignments, including an 11-length debut win when sprinting on the lawn at Canterbury. Atta Boy Roy colt didn’t thrive on the soft going at Kentucky Downs last out, but big improvement is expected on Sunday from the Washington-bred. Brain Hernandez Jr. stays in the silks.

#3 WINK -- First of three from the Ward barn will face the boys once again as a prime player in the Indian Summer. Stakes vixen was runner-up at Longchamp in a Group 3 test most recently, and she shows a pair of solid drills on this course in preparation of her local bow. Corrales will guide the daughter of Midshipman.

#4 RODERICK -- Ward pupil tries the turf for the first time following a pair of dirt endeavors to kick off his career. Expensive son of Into Mischief has a lot of early gas, and the April foal shows four consecutive bullet morning drills in anticipation of his grassy debut. Julio Garcia gets the nod.

#5 GOLDEN PAL -- Brilliant Uncle Mo colt followed up his neck second in the Norfolk (G2) at Royal Ascot with a sublime tally in the Skidmore S. at Saratoga for Ward. Florida-bred came home swiftly last time while under little urging, and he gives the impression of a budding superstar. Tyler Gaffalione will be in the stirrups.

#6 GOOD WITH PEOPLE -- California-bred colt has posted a trio of very good runs on the dirt and will give the grass a try for the initial time on Sunday. Peter Miller trainee is a mystery on the surface and hooked a very talented field, but he rates as a contender if he takes to the green with Saez taking the reins.

#7 AGOG -- Chestnut daughter of More Than Ready has registered a pair of good turf sprints at Ellis Park in advance of her stakes debut. Barkley charge led throughout in a facile score over fillies most recently, but she faces a tall task against the boys of this caliber. James Graham will be on board.

#8 PETIT VERDOT -- Vancouver colt broke his maiden on soft turf at Ellis Park two back before finishing a well-beaten sixth in his stakes debut most recently. Bay looks to be overmatched from the outside post.

Indian Summer Wagers

• $3 Trifecta: 5 with 2,3 with all ($36)
• $1 Trifecta: 5 with all with 2,3 ($12)