Cinco Charlie headed to Sunland for two-turn debut

Cinco Charlie will get his stretch-out opportunity in the $100,000 Riley Allison Derby on Jan. 24 at Sunland Park, trainer Steve Asmussen said Friday.

Cinco Charlie, a 3-year-old colt by Indian Charlie, already has made eight starts and has won five of them, including four stakes. He most recently captured the Sugar Bowl Stakes at Fair Grounds, a fast six-furlong race that produced an eye-catching 97 Beyer Speed Figure.

Cinco Charlie has yet to race beyond 6 1/2 furlongs, and the one-mile Riley Allison will be his first start around two turns.

“As fast as he is, he’s a very calm and relaxed horse, and I don’t think he’ll have any trouble with it,” Asmussen said. “He’s always been very mature physically and mentally.”

Cinco Charlie, Asmussen said, will work here at Fair Grounds, probably on Tuesday, and likely depart for Sunland by way of Asmussen’s barn at Sam Houston on Wednesday.

Bourbon Cowboy to Black Gold

Bourbon Cowboy, who came within a half-length of Cinco Charlie when running the best race of his six-start career in the Sugar Bowl, had been mentioned as a possible runner in the Lecomte Stakes here, but trainer Richie Scherer and the partnership of owners that campaign the horse elected to pass that spot.

“I didn’t want to throw him to the wolves just yet,” said Scherer. “There are a lot of races for him this summer.”

Bourbon Cowboy, a son of Cowboy Cal, made his first five starts on synthetic surfaces before trying dirt in the Sugar Bowl. Now, Scherer plans to give the colt a chance on turf here Feb. 28 in the $60,000 Black Gold, a 7 1/2-furlong grass race.