Preakness Stakes: Brown leaning toward running Good Magic

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Chad Brown appears to be more enthusiastic about starting Kentucky Derby runner-up Good Magic in next Saturday’s Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.

After watching Good Magic gallop a solid 1 1/4 miles Friday over the Belmont Park main track, Brown stopped just short of committing last year’s 2-year-old male champion to the second jewel of Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown and a rematch with Derby winner Justify. Brown did say that if Good Magic runs in the Preakness, he would van to Baltimore on Monday.

“It’s looking more and more like a possibility,” Brown said in his Belmont Park office. “But I want to stick to my plan of really giving the horse the weekend to see.

“I was thrilled with the way he came out of the Derby, knowing from past Derbies I’ve participated in, whether the track was wet or dry, they don’t all come out well. This is the best I’ve ever had a horse come out of the Derby.”

Good Magic was beaten 2 1/2 lengths by Justify in the Kentucky Derby, run over an extremely sloppy track. Since Brown does not have designs of running Good Magic in the Belmont Stakes – he doesn’t believe the horse would be effective at 1 1/2 miles – he’ll either run him in the Preakness or wait until late June or July to run him again.

However, Brown said the decision to run in the Preakness would be based on how Good Magic is training and not on his future racing schedule. Good Magic returned to Belmont Park from Louisville, Ky., on Monday and jogged a mile Wednesday and Thursday over the smaller Belmont training track.

On Friday, Good Magic went to the main track following the 8:45 a.m. renovation break and stood for several minutes along the outside rail near the 1 1/4-mile pole. Following a bevy of workouts from others, Good Magic proceeded into his gallop and appeared to be moving fluidly on a gorgeous spring morning.

“His first day galloping, I’m really looking to see what his energy level is and how he’s moving,” Brown said. “He’s moving very smooth. I couldn’t be happier with him.”

Good Magic was expected to gallop Saturday and Sunday, after which Brown will discuss the Preakness with owners Bob Edwards and Barbara Banke.

Pony Up breezes, has options

Pony Up, third behind My Boy Jack in the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on April 14, breezed a half-mile in 48.83 seconds Friday over the Belmont training track for a possible start in the Preakness.

Under John Velazquez, Pony Up worked inside of the 3-year-old maiden winner Autostrade. The pair went an opening quarter in 23.94 seconds and a final quarter in 24.89. Pony Up galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.86 and six furlongs in 1:14.15. Pony up is owned by Calumet Farm.

“Typical Pony Up work, seems to be holding form,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “We’ll see how things develop over the weekend, talk to the Calumet group, and figure it out.”

If he doesn’t run in the Preakness, Pony Up could run in the $100,000 Sir Barton Stakes on the Preakness card.

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PROSPECTIVE PREAKNESS FIELD

HORSE	TRAINER	JOCKEY	LAST RACE
Bolt d'Oro	Mick Ruis	Corey Nakatani	12th, Kentucky Derby (CD)
Bravazo	D. Wayne Lukas	Luis Saez	6th, Kentucky Derby (CD)
Diamond King	John Servis	TBD	1st, Tesio Stakes (LRL)
Good Magic	Chad Brown	Jose Ortiz	2nd, Kentucky Derby (CD)
Justify	Bob Baffert	Mike Smith	1st, Kentucky Derby (CD)
Lone Sailor	Tom Amoss	TBD	8th, Kentucky Derby (CD)
Pony Up	Todd Pletcher	John Velazquez	3rd, Lexington Stakes (KEE)
Quip	Rodolphe Brisset	Florent Geroux	2nd, Arkansas Derby (OP)
Sporting Chance	D. Wayne Lukas	Luis Contreras	4th, Pat Day Mile (CD)
Tenfold	Steve Asmussen	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	5th, Arkansas Derby (OP)