Gattopardo's Bay Shore try may lead to Preakness

Gattopardo's connections have their long-range sights on the Preakness. In order to get to the second leg of the Triple Crown, which will be run May 17 at Pimlico, Gattopardo must run well in Saturday's Grade 3 Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct.

Gattopardo, who has been first or second in all six career starts, had his final prep for the seven-furlong Bay Shore when he worked five furlongs in 58 seconds last Saturday at Laurel Park, and galloped out six furlongs in 1:10 and change. It was the fastest of 14 workouts at the distance that morning.

"It was a pretty impressive move," trainer Tim Tullock said. "He did it well within himself. We might have the premier seven-eighths of a mile 3-year-old in the country.

"We'll have to see how he runs Saturday, but if he runs well, the Preakness would be under serious consideration."

* Dane Kobiskie, 29, who ended his career as a jockey in early February to become a trainer, saddled his first winner when Yacht Man ($13) defeated $5,000 claimers last Sunday at Laurel.

Yacht Man, owned by PTK LLC, is part of Kobiskie's string of 25 runners based at the Bowie Training Center.

Kobiskie, who at 5 feet 8 inches was among the tallest riders in racing, won 287 races in 33 months as a rider. Prior to becoming a jockey, he spent two years on active duty in the Marines and served an internship at Taylor Made Farm in Lexington, Ky.

* Laurel became the first Mid-Atlantic track to reopen its turf course for the season last Friday, and Blue Sailor, ridden by Horatio Karamanos for trainer Howard Wolfendale, scored a three-length victory in a 5 1/2-furlong allowance for older horses.