TDN RISING STARS

March 24, 2012 - Fair Grounds, Race 10, Opt.-Clm, USD $42,360, 6f, ft

Bourbon Courage, c, 3, 2009 by Lion Heart

1st Dam: Shine Forth, by Carson City
2nd Dam: Normanda, by
3rd Dam: , by

Owner: Bourbon Lane Stable & Wayne Lynn
Breeder: Oscar & Eloise Penn (KY)
Trainer: Kellyn Gorder

A $15,000 FTKJUL yearling, Bourbon Courage blithely belied that modest sale price with a driving 4 1/4-length score on debut over course and distance Feb. 3. He earned a gaudy 103 Beyer Speed Figure for his exertions, and proved that head-turning unveiling was no fluke with another huge performance at 1-5. Farther back this time and not appearing to travel overly well behind an opening half in :45.48, the bay gained rapidly on his foes when tipped out at the head of the lane. He grabbed the lead in mid-stretch and lugged in briefly, but quickly leveled off once clear to cruise home a six-length winner. Macho Macho (Macho Uno) also made a big move from the back of the pack to be second. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $47,064.