Huge video board will be star of Churchill's opening night

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Saturday night at Churchill Downs will mark an important trial run – and not necessarily on the racetrack.

Yes, the opening-night Downs After Dark program will be highlighted by the long-misnomered Derby Trial, but it also will mark the debut of the much-heralded video board that now towers high above the Churchill backstretch.

Work recently was completed on the massive $12 million board, which surely will be the talk of the town – and much of the racing industry – when put to use for the first time Saturday night with the opening of the Churchill spring meet. The ultra-high-definition board is huge and is stationed in such a manner that it can be clearly seen from virtually every seat in the expansive grandstand. Churchill personnel have been working long hours behind the scenes to make a big impression on the massive crowds on hand for the upcoming Kentucky Oaks and Derby.

Meanwhile, the Grade 3, $150,000 Derby Trial – which in actuality has been more a prep for the Preakness than the Derby for years – picked up a key starter Monday when Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said he likely will run Chitu in the one-turn, one-mile race, in which no Kentucky Derby qualifying points are at stake. Baffert did not completely discount the possibility of running Chitu back in the May 3
Derby.

At least eight or nine more 3-year-olds are being listed as likely for the Derby Trial by Churchill stakes coordinator Dan Bork. Entries will be taken Wednesday. The others are Almost Famous, Big Sugar Soda, Bitters ‘n Bourbon, Embellishing Bob, Laddie Boy, Matador, Myositis Dan, Schivarelli, and possibly Brewing.

Post time Saturday night is 6 p.m. Eastern. It will be the first of four Downs After Dark cards at the meet, with the others set for June 14, 20, and 27.

After Saturday night, there will be no racing Sunday. Derby Week then runs Tuesday through Saturday, May 3.