General a Rod, a troubled 11th in the May 3 Kentucky Derby following a slow start, will return in the May 17 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, trainer Mike Maker said Friday.
It was business as usual Friday morning for Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome, who turned in another routine gallop at Churchill Downs as his prepares for the second leg of the Triple Crown, the May 17 Preakness at Pimlico in Baltimore.
From a 4 1/2-furlong maiden race on April 26, 2013, at Hollywood Park (in which he finished second by a length) to his dominant victory in the Kentucky Derby, Daily Racing Form has been with California Chrome every step of the way. Take a stroll through DRF’s archives to relive the journey from a beaten maiden to Derby champion.
Think California Chrome's slow Kentucky Derby time bodes ill for his chances in the next two Triple Crown races? Consider that four of the slowest Derby winners in recent history have come back to win the Preakness, while two others were second and two more third.
The tout on California Chrome should have been enough. Art Sherman, though, is fresh meat to a media world, both social and traditional, bereft of preconceived Art Sherman notions. Barclay Tagg and John Servis, who were likewise thrust into the spotlight after a lifetime in the game, know just how he feels.
Social Inclusion arrived in Baltimore on Thursday morning after a van ride of almost 19 hours from south Florida. The Preakness will mark the fourth career start for Social Inclusion, who won his first two races before finishing third in the Wood Memorial.
In his second day back training after winning the 140th Kentucky Derby last Saturday, California Chrome galloped 1 1/2 miles at Churchill Downs on Thursday as he prepares for the May 17 Preakness at Pimlico.
Now that California Chrome has validated his West Coast form and silenced all but the most stubborn skeptics, there will be a tendency lean too far in the other direction. A word of warning, though. The foregone conclusions drawn in the immediate wake of California Chrome’s Derby are not to be trusted.
Julian Pimentel, who has ridden Kid Cruz to a pair of minor stakes victories, will keep the mount aboard the colt for the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes, trainer Linda Rice confirmed Wednesday.
Pimlico Race Course will add a pick three to its wagering lineup linking the Pimlico Special on May 16 with the Dixie Stakes and Preakness Stakes on May 17, the track announced Wednesday.
