Salmanazar back sprinting in reconfigured Walker Stakes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – No one seems to know how flexible William Walker was when he was riding racehorses at Churchill Downs in the 1870s, but the stakes named in his honor already has proven quite pliable.

Starting in 2015, the $100,000 William Walker was run three times at six furlongs over dirt before Churchill racing officials decided they had seen enough. Fields averaged fewer than six horses per running, so now the Walker will be run at five furlongs on turf when it helps open the 38-day Churchill spring meet Saturday night.

Ten 3-year-olds will clash under the lights in the Walker, which goes as the ninth of 10 races on a card that starts at 6 p.m. Eastern. Salmanazar, Masked, Beckford, and Drena’s Star are the favorites in what shapes up as an excellent betting race. The Walker goes at 10:11 and the last race at 10:42.

Salmanazar, trained by Todd Pletcher for the Starlight Racing of Louisville resident Jack Wolf, would do well to repeat the effort he gave two starts back in wiring the Texas Glitter on the Gulfstream Park turf. The bay colt will break from post 1 under Churchill’s perennial leading jockey Corey Lanerie.

The Walker is named for the black jockey who topped the Churchill standings on five occasions and rode Baden-Baden to win the 1877 Kentucky Derby. Walker died in 1933 and is buried just a few miles from the track.

This is the 45th night card at Churchill, which first began using lights in June 2009. Subsequent night cards at this meet will be held June 2 and June 16. General admission is $10.

Last year, attendance for the spring opener was 20,949, and all-sources handle was $6,675,334.

KEY CONTENDERS

Salmanazar, by Shackleford
Last 3 Beyers: 85-86-41

◗ After his breakthrough score in the five-furlong Texas Glitter, this colt faded to third in a one-mile turf stakes on the March 31 Florida Derby card and now cuts back in distance while still likely to be a pace factor.

Masked, by Data Link
Last 3 Beyers: 85-83-32

◗ Trained by Bob Baffert, this colt went through his maiden and first allowance condition on the downhill turf course at Santa Anita in February and now tries something a bit shorter.

Beckford, by Bated Breath
Beyer: 82

◗ Now set for his first start for trainer Brendan Walsh, this British-bred colt was a solid fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last November in his most recent outing.

Drena’s Star, by First Samurai
Last 3 Beyers: 82-71-80

◗ A February allowance romp over the Fair Grounds turf makes this speedy colt a serious consideration here for trainer Tom Amoss.