Champion Johannesburg, who makes his 2002 debut Saturday.
Johannesburg will not be lacking for company in Saturday's Fosters-International Trial Stakes on the all-weather track at Lingfield, England. Seventeen 3-year-olds, including seven trained by Aidan O'Brien, have been entered for the one-mile race,.In addition to Johannesburg, O'Brien will run his other Kentucky Derby hopeful Castle Gandolfo, as well as Hawk Wing and Rock of Gibraltar, winner of their last two starts and two of three lifetime; Creekview, winner of his only career start; Sholokov, and Stonemason.Paul Cole will be represented by Kepler, winner of his only career start at Windsor, and Alan Jarvis will saddle Eastborough and Gold Point, who have each won one of three starts. The remaining starters are Aramram, Bit of Luck, Dupont, Groovejet, Prince of Tulum, Steely Dan, and Tumbleweed Charm.Of the eight horses assigned handicap ratings, Dupont has the high rating of 95, followed by Tumbleweed Charm at 94, Bit of Luck at 92, and Eastborough at 87.The race is scheduled to go off at 2:10 p.m. (GMT).Owned by Michael Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier, Johannesburg is undefeated in seven career starts and has earned just over $1-million. He earned an Eclipse Award as North American champion 2-year-old of 2001 after winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in his only start in America.
