Field Day Rallies from Last to Win William Walker

LOUISVILLE, KY – Trainer Brad Cox kicked off Kentucky Derby week in style when Klein Racing homebred Field Day rallied from last to win Saturday’s featured $150,000 William Walker Overnight Stakes on Opening Night of the 2021 Spring Meet before 11,505 fans at Churchill Downs.

Field Day, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, stumbled at the break and was relegated to eighth up the backstretch behind a swift :22.51 early 1/4-mile from pacesetter Bodenheimer. Gaffalione had Field Day positioned at the rail but switched to the 3 path to begin his charge at the leader.

Around the far turn, following a 1/2-mile fraction of :45.72, Gaffalione tipped Field Day to the outside and made a bold rally down the center of the track to get past Bodenheimer at the wire.

Field Day completed the 5 1/2-furlong journey in 1:05.63 on the listed “good” Matt Winn Turf Course.

“We were a little worried leaving the starting gate when she stumbled,” said Cox, who is the trainer of early Derby favorite Essential Quality. “With only going a short distance, positioning is always key. She settled in nicely around the turn and was able to run down a rally game horse on the front end.”

Field Day, who was the 9/5 post time favorite, paid $5.60, $3.60 and $3.20. Bodenheimer, with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard, returned $7 and $3.80. Cees Get Degrees, at odds of 29/1, finished third under Colby Hernandez and paid $8.80.

Rockstar Ro, Into the Sunrise, Sasim, Unitedandresolute and Lookin for Loki completed the running order.

Field Day is a 3-year-old bay gelding by Broken Vow out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Sunny Isles.