Toyota Blue Grass S.

Brody’s Cause returned to Keeneland Race Course Saturday, and the Giant’s Causeway colt proved his affinity for the Lexington track with a strong victory in the $1-million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes.

Returning to the site of his win in the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity, the Dale Romans' trainee gobbled up ground from far back in the pack of 14 3-year-olds, charged past pacesetter Laoban and held off New York outsider My Man Sam by 1 3/4 lengths.

Fellow Romans trainee Cherry Wine rallied to finish third, a head behind the runner-up. Brody’s Cause completed the 1 1/8-mile race in 1:50.20 on a fast track.

Brody’s Cause rebounded from a seventh-place finish in the March 12 Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby, his first start since a third in the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Oct. 31 at Keeneland.

“The horse needed a race and he got that race in Tampa, it’s a great racetrack to prep on,” Romans said. “This is home, this is the second-biggest race in Kentucky, in my opinion, and it’s great to win. On to the Kentucky Derby with a real chance.”

Brody’s Cause paid $10.40, $5, and $3.40 after being sent off at odds of 4.20-1 under jockey Luis Saez.

My Man Sam paid $5,80 to place and $4 to show, and Cherry Wine brought $3.60 to how. Completing the order of finish were Laoban, Star Hill, Goats Town, Lookin for a Kiss, Donegal Moon, Crescent Drive, Cards of Stone, Zapperini, 2.10-1 favorite Zulu, American Dubai, and Twizz.

Cherry Wine will also head down the road to Churchill Downs for a chance at the run for the roses, but only has 25 points on the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard and ranks 23rd on the list.

Bred in Kentucky by Gabriel Duignan, William Arvin Jr. and Petaluma Bloodstock out of the Sahm mare Sweet Breanna, Brody’s Cause was a $350,000 purchase from the Paramount Sales consignment to the 2014 Keeneland September yearling sale.

“This is a prototype Derby horse,” Romans said.

For an Equibase chart, click here.