$100,000 American Derby Draws Field of Seven Sophomores

Mark Casse will saddle World Approval as the morning line favorite at 2-1 odds. Bred and owned by Live Oak Plantation, the gray son of Northern Afleet has won two of his six starts and will be trying to earn the first graded stakes victory of his career. He was fourth last time out in the Pennine Ridge Stakes and was a minor stakes winner earlier in the year. Jose Lezcano will be in the irons and they will break from post position six.

Firespike trying to rebound and return to form

Second choice at 3-1 on the morning line is Firespike for trainer Mike Maker. A gelded son of Flower Alley, he is trying to rebound after finishing seventh last time out in the American Turf Stakes (G2). He has been on the board in six of his ten starts and is a three-time winner and has won on both turf and dirt. Julian Leparoux will be aboard and they are slated to break from the outside post.

Crittenden aiming for first graded stakes score

Also in the field at morning line odds of 5-1 is Crittenden for trainer Eoin Harty. A gelded son of Distorted Humor, he has won three of his seven starts and comes into this race off of a winning effort in the PDJF Stakes at Indiana Grand last time out. He has been training steadily at Arlington since that race and will have Flavien Prat aboard from the rail as he tries to earn his first graded stakes victory.