Bulletin to prep for Royal Ascot in Churchill's William Walker Stakes

WinStar Farm, China Horse Club and SF Racing’s undefeated Bulletin, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint last fall at Churchill Downs, heads a field of eight 3-year-olds entered for the fifth running of the $125,000 William Walker Stakes that serves as the centerpiece of Churchill Downs’ Opening Night.

The meet that runs through June 29 will be highlighted by the 145th Kentucky Derby on May 4, preceded by the May 3 Kentucky Oaks a day beforehand.

Scheduled to be run at five furlongs over the Matt Winn Turf Course, the William Walker will go as the eighth race on Saturday’s 10-race program with a 9:39 p.m. (all times Eastern) post time. First post time is 6 p.m.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Bulletin returned from a five-month layoff three weeks ago to win the Palisades Turf Sprint at Keeneland in wire-to-wire fashion. Javier Castellano, who has been aboard for the past two victories, has the mount Saturday night and will break from post position one.

Connections have stated that a trip to Royal Ascot for the Commonwealth Cup (G1) could be in order this summer.

Back to challenge Bulletin from the Palisades Turf Sprint is Hat Creek Racing’s Abyssinian. Trained by Wesley Ward, the filly returned from a nine-month layoff to win her turf debut at Gulfstream Park Feb. 28 prior to her race at Keeneland. Julio Garcia has the mount and will break from post position seven.

The field for the William Walker, with riders from the inside: Bulletin (Castellano), Sovereign Impact (Brian Hernandez Jr.), Legends of War (Adam Beschizza), Uncapped (James Graham), Jo Jo Air (John Velazquez), Neverland Rock (GB) (Luis Saez), Abyssinian (Garcia) and Hartel (Florent Geroux).