Bulletin still likely to race at Royal Ascot

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – After incurring his first career defeat Saturday night in the William Walker Stakes under the Churchill lights, Bulletin still will be pointed to the Royal Ascot meet next month in England, said Elliott Walden, president of WinStar Farm.

Bulletin, ridden by Javier Castellano for trainer Todd Pletcher, dueled on the lead in the five-furlong turf race with the eventual winner, Jo Jo Air, before fading to fourth as the 1-10 favorite. The City Zip colt had won his first three races, including the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint here last fall. He will run next in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup on June 21.

“The only thing that was a little different was him running back in 23 days,” said Walden, referring to an April 4 win in the Palisades at Keeneland. “All his previous races had been at least eight weeks apart. He has eight weeks to Royal Ascot.”

WinStar owns Bulletin with the China Horse Club and SF Racing.

Jo Jo Air, the only filly in the Walker, is a possibility to join an already sizable Wesley Ward contingent for the Royal Ascot meet.