Churchill Downs will open with a night-racing program for the first time ever
Saturday and the $200,000
Derby
Trial (G3) is the feature. Scheduled as the eighth of 11 races, with an
estimated post time at 9:39 p.m. (EDT), the one-mile event won’t feature any
prospects for the $2 million Kentucky Derby seven days later, but a solid
field of nine three-year-olds has been assembled.
Travelin Man, a convincing two-length winner of the April 3 Swale (G2), is the top draw. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the bay colt captured his
career debut by 7 1/4 lengths on January 6, registering a field-best 105 BRIS
Speed rating in the process, and was freshened nearly two starts for his next
appearance, a non-threatening second behind Preakness-bound Flashpoint
in the February 26 Hutcheson (G2). Travelin Man rebounded in style
last time, winning the seven-furlong Swale in hand with jockey John Velazquez,
and the Kentucky-bred could prove difficult to beat at Saturday’s one-turn
distance.
J J’s Lucky Train merits respect. After recording a second to
Kentucky Derby contender Toby’s Corner in the February 5
Whirlaway at Aqueduct, the Bill Anderson pupil shipped to Laurel Park to
garner the Miracle Wood S. three weeks later, defeating subsequent Private Terms
S. winner and Preakness hopeful Bandbox in the process. J J ‘s Lucky
Train notched his second straight stakes, and first graded, victory in the April
9 Bay Shore (G3) at Aqueduct, and he’ll retain the services of jockey Jose
Ferrer.
Machen is eligible to show more on the cutback and drop in
class. The Neil Howard trainee failed to make a serious impact when fourth in
the Risen Star (G2) and fifth in the Louisiana Derby (G2), but he had just
broken his maiden on January 2. There is still a lot to like about his future
potential and Machen will keep Edgar Prado in the saddle. Indian Winter is another intriguing entrant. After opening 2011 with a rallying win
in the 6 1/2-furlong San Pedro, the Jerry Hollendorfer runner has faltered in
his last two attempts around two turns, finishing sixth in the Santa Anita Derby
(G1) most recently. A one-turn mile looks like a perfect fit for the dark bay.
Swale runner-up Indiano and Evangeline Downs stakes winner B
G Suavecito are also part of the mix. Maiden winners Beamer, Dominus and Duca round out the
line-up.