Preakness Stakes: Brown leaning toward running Good Magic
Trainer Chad Brown appears to be more enthusiastic about starting Kentucky Derby runner-up Good Magic in next Saturday's Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.
David GreningMay 11, 2018
Trainer Chad Brown appears to be more enthusiastic about starting Kentucky Derby runner-up Good Magic in next Saturday's Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.
For the second consecutive morning, Justify galloped about 1 1/2 miles at Churchill under regular exercise rider Humberto Gomez in preparation for the May 19 Preakness Stakes.
Over the years, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has called the Preakness Stakes the easiest of the three Triple Crown races to win, and he would know, having won the race six times, all since 1997.
Justify was sent through a spirited gallop early Thursday at Churchill Downs in his first day of training since the colt won the 144th Kentucky Derby, allaying concerns that his bid for the May 19 Preakness at Pimlico will be hindered by the minor injury he incurred during the Derby.
Justify was scheduled to return to training Thursday at Churchill Downs as his connections continue to make assurances that the Kentucky Derby winner will not be hampered by the minor foot bruise he incurred in the race Saturday.
Quip has been confirmed to run in the May 19 Preakness, officials at Pimlico announced Tuesday afternoon.
Trainer Keith Desormeaux was hands-on Sunday morning, walking his standout 3-year-old My Boy Jack around the shed row and then holding him for his bath. He spoke with admiration for the colt who, he said, after a busy spring campaign and a major effort in the Kentucky Derby, will not run in the Preakness Stakes.
There were 19 horses who took on Justify in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, but by Sunday morning here at Churchill Downs, few trainers were even entertaining the thought of trying him again in two weeks in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, let alone committing to the race.
As Justify was brought out to meet an adoring throng on Sunday morning here at Churchill Downs, like a king granting an audience to his loyal subjects, the colt got a bit worked up from the attention and the constant clicks from the cameras.
Good Magic, the runner-up to Justify in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, and the quartet of horses trained by Todd Pletcher – including third-place finisher Audible – all emerged from their efforts in good shape Sunday morning. While Pletcher is likely to focus on the Belmont Stakes with a couple of his horses, Chad Brown, the trainer of Good Magic, is leaving the door open for a potential start in the Preakness on May 19.