Derby Trial tops Churchill spring meet opener

Paynter, who finished fourth in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby in just his

second start, and the undefeated Bourbon Courage headline a field of 11 entered

for the Grade 3, $200,000 Derby Trial at Churchill Downs on Saturday.

Run at a mile, the Derby Trial will be the marquee attraction on the spring

meet opener. First post time for Saturday's 11-race card is 6 p.m. (EDT) with

the Derby Trial scheduled as the 8TH race with a 9:39 p.m. post time

Highlighting the 39-day spring meeting that runs through July 1 will be the

138th running of the $2 million Kentucky Derby on May 5.

Other stellar races during the meet include the 138th running of the Grade 1,

$1 million Kentucky Oaks on May 4 and the 31st running of the Grade 1, $400,000

Stephen Foster Handicap on June 16.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Paynter won his racing debut on February 18 by 4 1/4

lengths and off that effort made his stakes debut in the Santa Anita Derby.

Paynter finished 3 3/4 lengths behind Kentucky Derby contender I'll Have

Another.

Martin Garcia, who has been aboard the son of Awesome Again in his two

starts, has the call Saturday night on Paynter, who will break from post

position 7.

Bourbon Courage has won his first two starts by a combined 11 lengths at Fair

Grounds. Trained by Kellyn Gorder, Bourbon Courage will break from post position

11 and be ridden by Miguel Mena.

Two stakes winners are also in the field for Derby Trial that was won in 2011

by Machen.

Motor City, winner of the Grade 3 Iroquois at Churchill last fall, finished

eighth in the Grade 3 Swale in his lone start of 2012. Brian Hernandez Jr. has

the mount on Motor City, who will break from post position 10.

Tarpy's Goal, winner of the Sophomore Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in his most

recent start, will break from the rail under Leandro Goncalves. Tarpy's Goal is

one four entrants in the Derby Trial trained by Dale Romans.