The chances were roughly one in 153 that I’ll Have Another and Bodemeister would emerge from the Kentucky Derby as the horses deserving of the most attention, at least according to their $306 exacta payoff. Yet as a post-Derby calm settled over the Churchill Downs stable area, the odds were much shorter that those two will dominate the discussion when the Preakness machine starts revving up in the next few days.
With the disappointment of the Wood Memorial still somewhat fresh in their minds, the connections of The Lumber Guy on Monday chose to run their promising 3-year-old New York-bred in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes rather than wait a week for the $1 million Preakness at Pimlico.
I’ll Have Another, who won the Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs, flew to Maryland on Monday to get an early start on preparing for the 137th Preakness Stakes on May 19 at Pimlico Racecourse, a race that, like the Derby, should have a full field. As of Monday, there were 16 horses still being considered for the Preakness, which has a maximum of 14 starters.
Steve Asmussen said he is in “a perfect position” in regard to having Hierro, winner of the Derby Trial, as a consideration for the May 19 Preakness.
Hierro outran favored Paynter in the final furlong Saturday night to win the 88th running of the Grade 3, $200,000 Derby Trial on an eventful evening when a fierce hailstorm interrupted the opening card of the 39-day spring meet for about 50 minutes.
Two years ago, trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. sent the New York-bred Yawanna Twist to the Preakness, where he ran a respectable fourth, beaten less than two lengths by Lookin At Lucky. In three weeks, Dutrow is seriously considering sending another New York-bred, Zetterholm, to the Preakness, if he can get into the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Owner Barry Schwartz is leaving the door open for Jerome winner The Lumber Guy to make his next start in the $1 million Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 19.
The Lumber Guy regained the luster he had lost in the Wood Memorial with an eye-catching 2 3/4-length victory over Brigand in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct.
Trainer Bob Baffert says if Stirred Up runs well in Saturday's Jerome at Aqueduct, the 3-year-old may run in trhe Preakness.
As part of its 14-race program that is highlighted by the $1 million Preakness, Pimlico would like to add the $75,000 President of the United Arab Emirates Cup, a 1 1/16 mile race for Arabian horses.
