Bourbon Cowboy will try grass in Black Gold Stakes

NEW ORLEANS – Trainer Richie Scherer said he’s planning to run the multiple stakes-placed colt Bourbon Cowboy next around two turns in the Black Gold Stakes at Fair Grounds. That race Feb. 28 for 3-year-olds is scheduled for about 7 1/2 furlongs on turf.

Bourbon Cowboy has raced twice at this meet, finishing second, a half-length behind Cinco Charlie, in the Sugar Bowl on Dec. 20 and winning a first-level optional-claiming sprint Jan. 23.

“I’ve really wanted to get him on the grass,” Scherer said. “His breeding, [sire] Cowboy Cal was a pretty good grass horse.”

Bourbon Cowboy has tried two turns once, finishing fifth in the Display Stakes on the synthetic surface at Woodbine, but Scherer said that for several reasons, that race was a throw-out.

Bourbon Cowboy “doesn’t look like a two-turn horse,” Scherer said, but he thinks the colt might be able to handle a route. “He’s rating pretty kindly. He’s got a pretty good mind to him.”