2012 Kentucky Derby: Breen has backup plan if My Adonis is excluded

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Kentucky Derby wasn’t the only race trainer Kelly Breen entered My Adonis in on Wednesday.

With My Adonis’s status for the Derby still up on the air, he’ll be the first also-eligible in the history of the race, Breen took out a little insurance by also putting his star 3-year-old in Saturday’s $75,000 Canonero II Stakes at Pimlico.

“We’re trying to do all we can do to get him in the Derby,” said Breen. “If we don’t get in, I’ll put him on a van Friday morning and take him to Maryland and use the stakes there to get him over the track as a prep for the Preakness.”

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My Adonis will remain eligible to draw into the Derby field up until scratch time at 9 a.m. Friday, after which advance wagering opens.

“I think one thing that can help me get him in is the fact they’re starting to have veterinarians look over all the Derby horses this week,” said Breen. “Other than that, I can only do so much. If he doesn’t get in, we’ll put him on the van and it will be Pimlico or bust. The ride to Pimlico, from here, is just over 10 hours and actually easier than the trip from our base at Monmouth Park. To be honest, he’s travelling better now than I am. He got off the van here last night, went to the track this morning and was on his game, on his toes, felt great and looked great.”

Breen planned to attend Wednesday’s Derby draw even though his fate is already sealed.

“He’ll break from post 20 if he gets in but it’s still better than post 1, which is what I got when I ran West Side Bernie in the 2009 Derby,” said Breen.