Bourbon Courage records first official move since April

After taking

the late spring and most of the summer off, a return to competition looms for

Bourbon Lane Stable's Grade 2 hero Bourbon Courage.

Bourbon Courage had an easy four-furlong breeze in :51 1/5

over the fast track at Churchill Downs on Saturday. It was the first serious training

move for trainer Kellyn Gorder's pupil since a run in the Alysheba on Kentucky Oaks Day

under the Twin Spires. He finished fourth to romping winner Take Charge Indy in

the Alysheba, but was moved up to third via disqualification.

That effort was the fifth consecutive loss for Bourbon

Courage since recording a career highlight win in the 2012 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs, and was his third setback

in as many races in 2013.

"We took him back to WinStar Farm after that race and got

him checked out," Gorder said. "He came out of that race kind of banged up. It

was nothing big, but we just decided to give him a break."

Bourbon Courage spent about 90 days on the farm and

Saturday's work was the first opportunity for the four-year-old son of Lion Heart

to stretch his legs in a serious training move. Gorder said nothing is penciled

in for Bourbon Courage's return, but the Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs on

November 27 looms as an objective if all goes well in the coming weeks.

"We'd like to get one race in before that race," he said.

"I'd say he'd be ready to go by the last part of October or first part of

November."

The career of Bourbon Courage spans just 11 races over two

racing seasons, but the colt's record is notable for both the talent he has

displayed and his consistency on the track.

Along with his Alysheba run, his 2013 efforts include

a runner-up effort in the Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park

and a third in the New Orleans Handicap at Fair Grounds, both behind the winning

Graydar. The bay ended his sophomore campaign with a close third-place finish

behind Shackleford in the Clark Handicap. His Super Derby win was the 2012

highlight, but he also finished second to Neck 'n Neck in the Indiana Derby and

was runner-up to Macho Macho in the West Virginia Derby.