Paynter, Undefeated Bourbon Courage Headline Field of 11 for Opening Night The Cliff's Edge Derby Trial

Apr 25, 2012 Gary Yunt

Zayat Stables LLC’s Paynter, who finished fourth in the Santa Anita Derby (Grade I) in just his second start, and the undefeated Bourbon Courage headline a field of 11 entered Wednesday for the 88^th running of the $200,000-added The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial (GIII).

Run at a mile, The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial will be the marquee attraction on Opening Night presented by Stella Artois and Finlandia Vodka. First post time for Saturday’s 11-race card is 6 p.m. (all times Eastern) with The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial scheduled as the eighth race with a 9:39 p.m. post time

Highlighting the 39-day spring meeting that runs through July 1 will be the 138^th running of the $2 million guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) on May 5.

Other stellar races during the meet include the 138^th running of the $1 million guaranteed Kentucky Oaks (GI) on May 4 and the 31^st running of the $400,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) on June 16, one of America’s premier races for older horses.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Paynter won his racing debut on Feb. 18 by 4 ¼ lengths and off that effort made his stakes debut in the Santa Anita Derby. Paynter finished 3 ¾ lengths behind Kentucky Derby 138 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 seven.

Bourbon Courage, owned by Bourbon Lane Stable and Wayne Lynn, 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 The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial that was won in 2011 by Machen.

Lantern Hill Farm LLC’s Motor City, winner of the Iroquois (G3) here last fall, finished eighth in the Swale (G3) in his lone start of 2012. Brian Hernandez Jr. has the mount on Motor City, who will break from post position 10.

Mike Tarp’s 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.

The field for The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial, from the rail out, is as follows: Tarpy’s Goal (Goncalves, 118 pounds), The Black (Calvin Borel, 118), Saint of Saints (Kent Desormeaux, 118), Nonios (Garrett Gomez, 118), Hierro (Julien Leparoux, 118), Quick Wit (Corey Lanerie, 118), Paynter (Garcia, 118), Seve (Jesus Castanon, 118), Stealcase (Shaun Bridgmohan, 118), Motor City (Hernandez Jr., 120), Bourbon Courage (Mena, 118).

Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 138^th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 5, 2012, and its Spring Meet is scheduled for April 28-July 1. The track has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships a record eight times. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.

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