Kentucky Oaks winner Untapable’s connections have resolutely declined to try her against males in the Preakness Stakes, but it appears that the Preakness will have a feminine touch nonetheless.
Ria Antonia, who finished sixth in the May 2 Kentucky Oaks, is being pointed to the Preakness on May 17 at Pimlico, owner Ron Paolucci said Tuesday.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Win or lose last Saturday, trainer Todd Pletcher had to leave Churchill Downs quickly after the Kentucky Derby to make it back home in time for a family function Sunday.
His son Payton’s confirmation probably was a good diversion for Pletcher the day after what was a disappointing Derby Day for the six-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer.
Though Danza ran a respectable third in Saturday’s 140th Kentucky Derby, Pletcher’s other three runners – We Miss Artie, Intense Holiday, and Vinceremos – finished 10th, 12th, and 17th behind California Chrome.
A total of 21 horses were entered in the Kentucky Derby, 19 ran, and of the 18 who chased home California Chrome on Saturday at Churchill Downs, it appears only a few will try him again in the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, on May 17 at Pimlico.
LOUSIVILLE, Ky. - Derby winner California Chrome will be flown to Maryland next Monday, May 12, after trainer Art Sherman asked to send the colt on a flight from Louisville to Maryland earlier than the traditional Wednesday before the race.
Buddy Fife, the Louisville-based booking agent for the Tex Sutton Forwarding Co., said Monday that the equine charter-flight company is firming up plans to have two flights.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For trainer Art Sherman, winning the Kentucky Derby Saturday with California Chrome still hadn’t sunk in yet Sunday morning.
“I’m still numb, to be honest,” he said Sunday morning. “I can’t describe it. The Kentucky Derby is the Kentucky Derby. I was so happy when we won the Santa Anita Derby, when you think of all the good horses that have won that race. That was my biggest thrill – until now.
“It’s pretty cool. You wake up in the morning and go, ‘I just won the Kentucky Derby.’ It’s a dream come true for me.”
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The three New York-based horses who contested Saturday’s 140th Kentucky Derby were all expected to ship home by Monday, but none of the trio is expected to run back in the May 17 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, according to their connections.
The Wood Memorial first- and second-place finishers Wicked Strong and Samraat finished noses apart in the Derby when running fourth and fifth, respectively, behind California Chrome. Uncle Sigh, who set the early pace, faded to 14th in the 19-horse field.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Untapable came out of her impressive Kentucky Oaks romp in fine fashion and will remain at Churchill Downs with the rest of the Steve Asmussen stable before heading to Saratoga in early July.
Asmussen was noncommittal about a next start for Untapable, who came within 0.04 seconds of a stakes record when completing the 1 1/8-mile Oaks in 1:48.68. Her 4 1/2-length triumph Friday in the filly classic equated to a 107 Beyer Speed Figure, the highest of her seven-race career.
Owner Ron Sanchez and trainer Manny Azpurua had hoped to be at Churchill Downs on Saturday to run their star 3-year-old, Social Inclusion, in the Kentucky Derby. Instead, they will watch the Derby on television from Gulfstream Park, where a short while earlier, Social Inclusion will prep for a potential start in the Preakness by taking on seven rivals, including the undefeated Little Daddy, in the one-mile Sir Bear Stakes.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Trainer D. Wayne Lukas said he would not enter Strong Mandate in the Kentucky Derby and instead will consider running him in the Preakness Stakes on May 17.
Though Strong Mandate would not have enough points to make it into the field of 20 for the Derby, he could have been one of four also-eligibles entered.
Strong Mandate, who won last year’s Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga, is coming off a last-place finish in the Arkansas Derby.
“I’m looking at the Preakness, but I might even wait until Saratoga,” Lukas said.
