Bulletin the star of opening day

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bulletin, the speedy colt who won the BC Juvenile Turf Sprint here last fall, will be looking to remain unbeaten when he breaks from the rail as a heavy favorite Saturday night when Churchill Downs opens its spring meet with a 10-race card that starts at 6 p.m. Eastern.

Bulletin will have Javier Castellano aboard in the fifth running of the $125,000 William Walker, a 5 1/2-furlong turf race that drew seven other 3-year-olds. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt comes off a dominant performance in the Palisades Turf Sprint on opening day of the Keeneland spring meet and is using the Walker as a stepping-stone to the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup on June 21 at Royal Ascot in Great Britain.

From the rail, this is the field for the Walker (race 8, 9:39): Bulletin, Sovereign Impact, Legends of War, Uncapped, Jo Jo Air, Neverland Rock, Abyssinian, and Hartel.

The Saturday opener will be the 49th night card since Churchill first began using lights in 2009. Fans are encouraged to wear orange as a means of supporting the local arts community.

After Saturday, Churchill goes dark for two days before Kentucky Derby week begins with a rare Tuesday card featuring the second annual Champions Day promotion.

◗ Rain and a high temperature of 68 are in the forecast for the meet finale Friday at Keeneland, but the chances of the Bewitch Stakes being transferred to the main track are very slim, considering the turf course won’t be needed for further racing until the fall meet in October.

A solid 10-race card is on tap. Besides the Bewitch, there also are three straight allowances (races 6, 7, 8) and a pair of $79,000 maiden special events (race 3 and 5).