In this era of Thoroughbred horse racing, it is rare for “a quick turnaround” to be less than the two weeks between the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, but that is what Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas is trying with Innovator in the Advent Stakes on opening day Friday at Oaklawn.

When Innovator goes postward in the 5 1/2-furlong dirt race for 2-year-olds worth $150,000, he will be doing so just nine days after finishing second to Barnes in a maiden race at Churchill Downs. Of course, losing that race means he is still a maiden, but facing winners here is much less a question mark than is his nine days of rest.

And that question is not because it’s bad. It’s because it’s a total unknown. Lukas has a reputation of running them when ready and good. And there is no doubt that Innovator is good, considering the head loss to a horse who a few days later closed at 15-1 to win the Kentucky Derby. 

He fits in with this group, too, considering the Brisnet pace ratings have him on the lead. But does he win this race half the time, which is what he’d need to do to represent fair value against his even-money morning line? I don’t think so, and it’s likely he could be odds on. 

The logical alternatives are to Perfect Magic to Innovator’s inside Kale’s Angel to his outside. I give preference to Perfect Magic given the higher morning line price of 5-1 versus 5-2, but better fair odds assessment. In other words, I see Perfect Magic as a more likely winner than Kale’s Angel.

Perfect Magic went turf to dirt and pressed and pounced to break his maiden last out at Churchill. I could see a similar trip here at what should be a fair price given the two horses to the outside. Speaking of turf-to-dirt, Kale’s Angel is doing same here as well as cutting back to a sprint. That could wake him up after two disappointing efforts in turf routes, but I’ll try to beat him as the morning-line second choice.