Preakness: Gunnevera takes it easy in gallop

BALTIMORE - Three-time graded stakes winner Gunnevera galloped a slow and easy 1 1/2 miles at Pimlico on Tuesday but will pick up the pace Wednesday, according to trainer Antonio Sano and his son Alex, the stable's racing manager.

Gunnevera, who finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby, arrived at Pimlico on Saturday. He walked the shed row Sunday and then jogged two miles Monday.

He came onto the Pimlico track Tuesday from the three-sixteenths pole gap at the same time as Conquest Mo Money, following the renovation break, and backed up to the five-sixteenths pole before being turned around. He then had an easy gallop.

Antonio Sano said Gunnevera would tack a three- or four-furlong open gallop onto the end of his morning exercise Wednesday, meaning he would start out slow but pick up the tempo late.

[bc_video_id:410381:]Sano said Gunnevera would be sent to the track at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Gunnevera won the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park in early March. He then was third in the Florida Derby, beaten 6 1/2 lengths by eventual Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming, after breaking from the outside post in the 10-horse field. The outer posts are a disadvantage going 1 1/8 miles at Gulfstream since there is only a short run to the first turn.

Last year at 2, Gunnevera won both the Grade 2 Saratoga Special going 6 1/2 furlongs and the three-turn, 1 1/16-mile Delta Jackpot.

A $16,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase in 2015, he has earned close to $1.2 million.

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