Preakness a possibility for Illinois Derby winner Departing

Departing has both the points and the credentials to have run in this year’s Kentucky Derby. But trainer Al Stall Jr. is in no rush to put his improving 3-year-old on the Triple Crown trail just yet.

Departing has captured 4 of his 5 starts, his lone setback coming at the hands of Revolutionary when third in the Grade 2 Risen Star. He is coming off an impressive 3 1/4-length triumph for Stall and owner-breeders Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider in the Grade 3 Illinois Derby.

“By passing the Derby, I have the luxury of sitting back and watching to see how things pan out before making a decision on his next start,” said Stall. “To see whether they go in 2:03 and five or six of them bunch up on the wire in the Derby or if Orb and Verrazano pull 10 clear of the field and go in 2:00 and change. After that, we’ll make a decision on whether to go on to the Preakness. We don’t have to decide that right now.

Stall said Departing would likely have his first work since the Illinois Derby here on Friday.