Brooklyn Strong might prep for Preakness in Tesio

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer Danny Velazquez said that Brooklyn Strong, his stakes-winning 3-year-old gelding who finished fifth in the Wood Memorial on April 3, is targeting the Preakness on May 15 at Pimlico. Over the weekend, Velazquez and Brooklyn Strong’s owner Mark Schwartz were planning to decide whether to run in the Federico Tesio at Pimlico next Saturday beforehand.

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The Tesio, which was moved to Pimlico after the Maryland Jockey Club suspended racing at Laurel due to track condition, offers the winner a fees-paid berth into the Preakness.

Velazquez said he is leaning toward training up to the Preakness. He said Schwartz has indicated a desire to run in the Tesio, which is run at 1 1/8 miles.

Brooklyn Strong ran in the Wood off a four-month layoff, or since he won the Grade 2 Remsen here last Dec. 5. Brooklyn Strong finished fifth, 4 3/4 lengths behind upset winner Bourbonic.

In the Wood, Brooklyn Strong saved all the ground from the inside, but things did get tight on him at around the three-sixteenths pole.

“Down the lane it seemed like he was going to burst through a hole but then several horses all [came] in and he got pinched,” Velazquez said. “I was high on my horse then, I’m still high on him. He performed.”