Travelin Man tops Derby Trial under the lights

Churchill Downs will open with a night-racing program for the first time ever

Saturday and the $200,000

Derby

Trial S. (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 (G1) seven days later, but a solid

field of nine three-year-olds has been assembled.

TRAVELIN MAN (Trippi), a convincing two-length winner of the April 3 Swale S.

(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 (G1)-bound Flashpoint

(Pomeroy) in the February 26 Hutcheson S. (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 (Silver Train) merits respect. After recording a second to

Kentucky Derby contender Toby's Corner (Bellamy Road) in the February 5

Whirlaway S. 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 (Tapit) in the process. J J 's Lucky

Train notched his second straight stakes, and first graded, victory in the April

9 Bay Shore S. (G3) at Aqueduct, and he'll retain the services of jockey Jose

Ferrer.

MACHEN (Distorted Humor) 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 (Indian

Charlie) is another intriguing entrant. After opening 2011 with a rallying win

in the 6 1/2-furlong San Pedro S., 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 (Indian Charlie) and Evangeline Downs stakes winner B

G SUAVECITO (Suave) are also part of the mix. Maiden winners BEAMER

(Vindication), DOMINUS (Smart Strike) and DUCA (Empire Maker) round out the

line-up.