Time for another round of Bourbon Courage
It seems like I have been a fan of Bourbon Courage for a long time. In reality, it’s only been three years, ever since the former $15,000 bargain yearling purchase debuted with a rousing maiden win at Fair Grounds in February of his three-year-old season. I remember watching the race on my computer that afternoon. It was a memorable career opener; he won off by more than four lengths, while stopping the timer in just a tick over 1:09. I’ve certainly enjoyed the three years of fandom for the son of Lion Heart, but it hasn’t always been easy. Bourbon Courage did romp in the $500,000 Super Derby later that year, but his resume is one a little too full of tough beats and close calls. His career record of 21-4-5-6 points out the somewhat frustrating task of rooting for a Bourbon Courage win in every race he enters. That was then, this is now. Now a mature six-year-old, the $1.1 million earner has a brand new bag, and I am truly expecting big things this year for my old friend. This renewed optimism begins tomorrow in the $250,000 General George Handicap at Laurel Park.
The reason for all this renewed optimism? Bourbon Courage became a brand new horse when his connections committed the talented horse to one-turn races, rather than two. I believe this will make all the difference, and the way he closed out 2015, seems to be a good indication of just that.
He will enter the General George as a fresh horse, with nearly 12 weeks since his last race. Owned by a Bourbon Lane Stable partnership, and trained by Kellyn Gorder, when last freshened, Bourbon Courage returned in an optional claimer at Keeneland. Fortunately I was there that day to see the renaissance of his career. Back sprinting, he showed everything I could have hoped for that day in the Bluegrass, and completely dominated the field in fast time. Sent off as the favorite that day, his odds would be decidedly higher in his next start.
I had the pleasure of being there for his next race, and I was thrilled to take advantage of the 21-1 odds offered on him in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Admittedly, I did not cash on him that afternoon at Santa Anita, but I could not have been prouder of the race he ran. Burdened with the far outside post position of 14, Bourbon Courage was farther back early than he has ever been. Dead last after going halfway out to the parking lot spinning out of the far turn, my old friend exploded down the stretch and only ran out of ground. Yes, he could only manage fourth, beaten two lengths, but he was closing so fast that he was one jump from third, and blew by the top two soon after the wire. It was real horse afire type of stuff. Take a look for yourself...
His final race of 2014 came in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap. The track at Aqueduct could not have been more speed favoring that day, and his late run was compromised behind the freewheeling winner, Private Zone. Still, Bourbon Courage finished third, and in fact, just missed second. More excuses for a really good horse who has only won 4-of-21 lifetime, or was the good performance further proof of his reemergence as a serious one-turn runner?
You know which my heart, and more importantly, my head believes. I look for Bourbon Courage to finally be the real deal this year as a sprinter. Having said that, the General George is no easy season opener. He drew the rail in a 12-horse field full of fast horses. As long as he runs another good race starting off the year … scratch that … I want to see him win!