(Edited Press Release)
Kinsman Stable’s Majestic Warrior, winner of the Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga last summer in his second career start, heads a field of 10 3-year-olds entered in the 84th running of the $100,000-added Derby Trial at Churchill Downs April 26.
The 7 1/2-furlong main track test will serve as the highlight of opening day for the 52-day spring meet at the Louisville track that will run from April 26-July 6, and will feature the 134th running of the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) on May 3. First post time for the 11-race opening day card is 12:45 p.m. EDT.
Trained by Bill Mott, Majestic Warrior comes into the Derby Trial off a sixth-place finish in the March 29 Florida Derby (gr. I) at Gulfstream Park. Majestic Warrior, who has a career record of 2-0-0 in five starts with earnings of $221,200, tuned up for the race with a three-furlong blowout in :36-flat April 23 at Churchill Downs.
Robby Albarado will ride Majestic Warrior and will break from post position five.
Three other graded stakes winners are in the field, headed by Vinery Stables and Fox Hill Farm’s Kodiak Kowboy, who won the Bashford Manor (gr. III) at Churchill last summer. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Kodiak Kowboy also won the Saratoga Special (gr. II) and ran third to champion War Pass in the Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I).
Zayat Stables’ Eaton’s Gift, trained by Dale Romans, won the Swale (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park this winter and Woodford Racing, W.S. Farish and George Bolton’s Turf War was a dead-heat winner in the Delta Jackpot (gr. III) last December.
The four graded stakes winners will carry 123 pounds, spotting six pounds to their rivals.
