Chase the Chaos headed to Pimlico for Preakness berth
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Despite two comprehensive losses in recent months, the Northern California stakes winner Chase the Chaos will be sent to Pimlico for the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes on May 20.
Chase the Chaos will be a longshot, which is not an issue for trainer Ed Moger Jr.
“We’re going in with no expectations,” Moger said Sunday. “He’ll be 99-1.”
Chase the Chaos won the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields in February, but has struggled in his last two starts, finishing seventh of nine in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on March 4 at Santa Anita, and eighth of nine in the California Derby on the synthetic main track April 29 at Golden Gate Fields.
Those losses would keep most owners and a trainer away from a Triple Crown race, but Chase the Chaos earned a berth in the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes at 1 3/16 miles with a win in the El Camino Real Derby. Both tracks are owned by 1/ST Racing.
“I’ve never been there, and the owners have never been there,” Moger said. “It will be an experience for us more than anything.”
Moger said Sunday that Chase the Chaos has rebounded from his recent loss in the California Derby and has trained well, providing a reason to try the Preakness.
“The horse is doing so freaking good, it wouldn’t surprise me if he ran great,” Moger said.
Chase the Chaos, who races for Adam Ference and Bill Dory, has won 3 of 8 starts and earned $123,950. The El Camino Real Derby is his only stakes win. The San Felipe is his only appearance in a graded stakes. Last fall, Chase the Chaos was third in the Golden Nugget Stakes at six furlongs and later second in the Gold Rush Stakes at a mile at Golden Gate Fields.
Moger said he plans to work Chase the Chaos this weekend before the gelding is shipped to Maryland.
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