Sir Shackleton wins Derby Trial for 3-years-olds at Churchill

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Sir Shackleton held off surging Courageous Act by 13/4 lengths in Saturday's $110,800 Grade 3 Derby Trial for 3-year-olds at Churchill Downs.
The win got trainer Nick Zito's Kentucky Derby week off to a fast start. Zito will saddle The Cliff's Edge and Birdstone next Saturday.
The two-time Derby winning trainer said the Trial was one of the traditional races he has coveted.
"There are certain races you want to win and this is one of them," said Zito, who won the Derby in 1991 with Strike the Gold and in 1994 with Go For Gin.
Bob Baffert was the last trainer to win the Trial and the Derby in the same year, doing it in 1998 with Souvenir Copy and Real Quiet. Zito wasn't looking ahead on Saturday.
"Whatever happens a week from today, as long as I get both my horses to the gate, I'm more than happy," Zito said.
Sir Shackleton, with Rafael Bejarano aboard, paid $4.40, $3.20 and $2.10, earning $68,696 for owner Tracy Farmer.
Courageous Act, trained by Baffert, paid $3.80 and $2.10. Bwana Charlie, trained by Steve Asmussen, was another 81/2 lengths back in third and paid $2.10.
The scheduled six-horse Trial field dropped to five when Kentucky Derby hopeful Rock Hard Ten was scratched Saturday morning.
Sir Shackleton caught frontrunner Quick Action at the half-mile and held the lead along the rail the rest of the way. Courageous Act made a brief charge early in the stretch but two hard right-handed whips by Bejarano in the final furlong urged Sir Shackleton to the wire.
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