The Grade 2 Hutcheson Stakes at 7 furlongs is perfect for colts that aren’t ready to go 9 furlongs in the Fountain of Youth. The race has produced notable sprinters and routers alike. Kentucky Derby winners Spectacular Bid and Swale both own a win in this race. Last year’s winner was Capt. Candyman Can who would go on to win the Grade 1 King’s Bishop. The field for 2010 is very strong and the winner will pick up much needed graded stakes earnings for the Kentucky Derby.

Although he didn’t fare well in his first start in the United States, Radiohead still looks like a strong contender. His only race in the US was a seventh place finish in the Breeders Cup Juvenile. The son of Johannesburg is trained by Richard Dutrow for IEAH Stables. He won the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes as Ascot last summer. He is working sharply for his first race over the dirt. Julien Leparoux will have the mount. He usually does well with horses coming in from overseas.

Richard Dutrow also has Grade 2 Saratoga Special winner D’funnybone entered in this race. He backed up big time last out in the Breeders Cup Juvenile after pressing the pace. I’ll forgive that effort because dirt horses werent running well on that weekend at all. The son of D’wildcat delivered an electrifying win in the Grade 2 Futurity at Belmont before the Breeders Cup. If he can regain that form he will be tough. He figures to get a nice stalking trip with Edgar Prado in the irons.

A Little Warm and Wildcat Frankie could shake things up for the Dutrow runners. They finished one-two in the Spectacular Bid Stakes, respectively. Wildcat Frankie has posted an allowance win since then, but A Little Warm hasn’t raced since. A Little Warm is trained by Anthony Dutrow and will be ridden by Jeremy Rose. A wet track would likely help his chances. Wildcat Frankie will be piloted by Paco Lopez  for trainer James Hatchett.

City Trooper, Ibboyee, Sum Champ, and Hear Ye Hear Ye round out the field. Who do you like in the Grade 2 Hutcheson Stakes?