Return of Finley'sluckycharm, Syndergaard highlight Churchill opener

The Churchill Downs Spring/Summer meet, highlighted by the 143rd Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 6, kicks off Saturday night with an 11-race program that begins at 6 p.m. (EDT). Two stakes highlight the card, which mark the seasonal returns of two highly-regarded one-turn specialists.

Syndergaard, a brave second in the Champagne (G1) to Practical Joke after setting a very hot pace in the one-mile fixture, turns back to six furlongs Saturday night for the $100,000 William Walker for three-year-olds. Winner of his first two starts, including the $190,000 Funny Cide for New York-breds by more than 10 lengths, the Todd Pletcher-trained colt nearly lasted in the Champagne despite setting fractions of :22 3/5, :44 3/5, and 1:08 3/5.

Subsequently fifth after setting the pace in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), Syndergaard will break from rail with John Velazquez up in what might be a possible tune-up for the Woody Stephens (G2) in June.

Also among the field of seven are Conquest Wildcat, who won his debut at Churchill last May and was most recently second in the $150,000 Bachelor at Oaklawn for Randy Morse. Looking to improve off his last run is The Money Monster, a stakes winner at Tampa Bay Downs in January who was subsequently pulled up in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) in his debut for Bill Mott.

One of the heaviest favorites on the card might be Finley'sluckycharm in the $65,000 Roxelana, a six-furlong dash for fillies and mares. The Bret Calhoun-trained four-year-old makes her first start since finishing second by a half-length in the December 26 La Brea (G1) at Santa Anita.

Undefeated in five, one-turn starts prior to the La Brea, Finley'sluckycharm is three-for-three over the Churchill strip, including an 8 1/2-length demolition of the $82,000 Dream Supreme last November.

Also lining up are Kathballu and Athena, both stakes winners at Oaklawn over the winter.