By Jeff Lowe

Sedgefield, the runner-up to Hard Spun in the Lane’s End Stakes (G2) on March 24, will make a quick turnaround on Friday in an attempt to enhance his opportunity to crack the field for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).

The full brother to multiple Grade 1 winner English Channel will return to turf in the $150,000 Central Bank Transylvania Stakes (G3) at Keeneland Race Course.

Sedgefield finished second in the Tropical Park Derby (G3) at Calder Race Course and Hallandale Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park on grass this winter.

The Smart Strike colt has accumulated $120,000 in graded stakes earnings, the criteria for determining the Kentucky Derby field if more than 20 horses are entered.

The one-mile Transylvania carries a winner’s purse of $93,000.

Sedgefield will be racing just 13 days after finishing 3 1/4 lengths behind Hard Spun in the Lane’s End.

Trainer Darrin Miller said the Transylvania is a more attractive option than the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) on the Polytrack at Keeneland on April 14. That race probably will draw champion Street Sense, Grade 1 winner Great Hunter, Hard Spun, and Any Given Saturday.

“The Blue Grass is coming up very strong, and Sedgefield is sitting on the tail-end of the earnings list,” Miller said. “Possibly, this is a good opportunity to pick up more graded stakes money. Maybe it’s an untraditional route to the Derby, but he’s proven himself on the turf.”

Miller also trains Dominican, who won the Rushaway Stakes on the Lane’s End undercard. The El Corredor gelding is possible for the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G2) on April 21 at Keeneland.

The Santa Anita Derby (G1), Wood Memorial Stakes (G1), and Illinois Derby (G2) are the traditional Kentucky Derby preps on the schedule this weekend.

Saturday’s $750,000 Santa Anita Derby appears to be a wide-open race, with Hollywood Futurity (G1) and Sham Stakes (G3) runner-up Liquidity, El Camino Real Derby (G3) winner Bwana Bull, Hutcheson Stakes (G2) winner King of the Roxy, and Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2) runner-up Sam P. among the probable cast.

Grade 1 winner Circular Quay and Remsen (G2) and Holy Bull (G3) Stakes winner Nobiz Like Shobiz will headline the $750,000 Wood Memorial on Saturday at Aqueduct.

San Felipe Stakes (G2) winner Cobalt Blue and Gotham Stakes (G3) winner Cowtown Cat are expected for the $500,000 Illinois Derby (G2) on Saturday at Hawthorne Race Course.

Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer