Bayeux Gives European Challenge A Boost

The Gerard Butler-trained Bayeux struck an early blow for the European raiders at Churchill Downs when he landed the Grade 3 River City Handicap.

The five-year-old took the 150,000 contest having tracked the leaders before striking under jockey John Velazquez inside the final furlong to pass front-running Ballast and win by one-and-a-half lengths.

Charles O'Brien's Lord Admiral, third behind Breeders' Cup Mile hopeful Aragorn on his last start, came from even further behind under Mick Kinane to grab second place from Ballast by a neck.

It was a fine start to what could be a fantastic weekend for owner Michael Tabor who has both Circular Quay in the Juvenile and Hurricane Run in the Turf sporting his colours this evening.

'Everything went according to plan,' Butler told www.bloodhorse.com.

'He's a horse that I bought last year for Mr Tabor. He's done very well for us in England this year, so the plan was to come out here and have a crack at this.'

'I was pleased,' said Tabor. 'It's a good performance, coming over from Europe for the first time. He'll stay here and should win some nice races over here.'

Kinane was left to rue the fact that he had to make his challenge wide in the straight.

'I had to make a decision when another horse carried him three or four wide, and maybe I should have tried to come back in and save a bit of ground,' said Kinane.

'But he flew home, he came home good.'

(C) PA Sport