Souvenir Copy Delivers Win for Baffert

Trainer Bob Baffert, who’ll saddle Indian Charlie and Real Quiet next Saturday in the Kentucky Derby, won the $113,300 Derby Trial at Churchill Downs Saturday when Souvenir Copy registered a late-running 2 1/4-length win for his first victory in more than five months.

Ridden by Dave Flores, Souvenir Copy overtook Yarrow Brae in the stretch to win for the first time since he won the Norfolk Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 19. Souvenir Copy also won the Del Mar Futurity as a 2-year-old, but he took himself out of contention for the Kentucky Derby by losing his first four starts this year. Souvenir Copy ran fifth in the Louisiana Derby in his last start.

Yarrow Brae finished second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Black Cash, as Churchill Downs opened its Kentucky Derby meet with a crowd of 17,336. Trainer Wayne Lukas said he would talk to Yarrow Brae’s owners before deciding whether his colt will run in the Derby. Yarrow Brae has never won a stake and has a record of two wins in 12 starts. Lukas already has a definite Derby starter in Cape Town.

Souvenir Copy was bred and is owned by John and Betty Mabee, San Diegans who lost their chance to run in the Derby when undefeated Event Of The Year cracked a knee during a workout Friday. Event Of The Year underwent surgery Saturday and a screw was inserted in his right knee to stabilize the fracture. He is expected to return to racing, perhaps at the end of the year.

A slight favorite over Yarrow Brae, Souvenir Copy paid $6.40, earning $70,240 for his fourth win in nine starts. Although there were sprinkles most of the afternoon, the track was fast for the Trial and the winning time was 1:34 4/5.

Baffert said the Illinois Derby, at Sportsman’s Park on May 9, would probably be the next race for Souvenir Copy, but he did not rule out skipping that race and running in the Preakness at Pimlico on May 16.

As for the Kentucky Derby, a field of between 16 and 19 is likely. One of the definites, Nationalore, worked seven furlongs in 1:24 3/5 at Hollywood Park and owner-trainer Myung Kwon Cho named Goncalino Almeida as his jockey. Trainer Neil Howard, who will run Parade Ground in the Derby, said Comic Strip will not run and Voyamerican has become a possible for the race.