King's review: Derby Trial ends in 3-way photo

A crowd of 24,431 fans filled Churchill Downs Saturday, inspired by night racing, traditional Derby week excitement, and the publicity of the launch of the track’s massive “Big Board” high-definition television.

The “Big Board,” turned on for the fifth race, didn’t disappoint and received high marks for its clarity, brightness, and sheer size.

The traditional opening day feature, the Grade 3 Derby Trial, proved a thriller – with the race ending in a three-horse photo. Favored Bayern narrowly crossed the wire on top, followed by Embellishing Bob and a fast-closing Myositis Dan. All three earned 94 Beyer Speed Figures.

But following an inquiry and claim of foul, Bayern was disqualified from first and placed second for drifting out and impeding Embellishing Bob in the stretch.

It seemed like the right call. Though both horses seemed to contribute to early stretch contact, in the late going, Bayern carried Embellishing Bob well out into the center of the track, potentially costing him the victory.

Even with her mount, Bayern, getting disqualified from the Derby Trial, jockey Rosie Napravnik won three races Saturday. She piloted City Steel to victory in the second race; heavily favored Highroller Dave to win the fifth; and Franklin to score on the turf in the seventh.

The latter fought through traffic in the stretch to get up in a roughly run race over a turf course that surprisingly had a lot of dirt kicked back during the running.

Earlier on the card, Anahauc impressed in taking a third-level allowance in race 3. She sat just off heavily favored Socialbug as that one set a soft pace, then inhaled the leader and won going away by 3 1/2 lengths. The winner, who earned a 100 Beyer Speed Figure, acts like a graded-quality sprinter in the making.

Horse to Watch

LAKE CREEK
Trainer: Tom Amoss
Last race: April 26, race 6
Finish: Fifth by 7 3/4
Beyer: 59

He engaged in a taxing speed duel in a race for $25,000 claimers and understandably tired in the stretch. He is a much better horse than what he showed in that race, and now he joins trainer Tom Amoss and owner Maggi Moss off the claim – connections that should have him poised for a top effort next time out.