Sherlock will wait to decide whether Uncle Lino tries Preakness

CYPRESS, Calif. - The result of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs next weekend will play a key role in whether Uncle Lino progresses to the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 21 following his win in Saturday’s $151,035 California Chrome Stakes at Los Alamitos.

Trainer Gary Sherlock said on Sunday that he wants to assess Uncle Lino’s condition in coming days and analyze the outcome of the Kentucky Derby before finalizing plans.

“He’s acting okay,” Sherlock said. “We have the extra week and we’ll watch the Derby and see what happens there.

“I have no plan B.”

At the same time, Sherlock is quick to mention that there are many lucrative graded stakes around the nation that would work in Uncle Lino’s schedule.

Uncle Lino won the first stakes of his career in the California Chrome for 3-year-olds. Uncle Lino led throughout the 1 1/16 miles and set a track record of 1:40.82. Dortmund held the previous mark of 1:40.86 set in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity in December 2014.

Uncle Lino, who races for Sherlock, Tom Mansor, and Purple Shamrock Racing, was second, fourth, and third in three of the leading preps for the Triple Crown at Santa Anita earlier this year, losing to Mor Spirit, Danzing Candy, and Exaggerator. Those horses are all expected to start in the Kentucky Derby.

Uncle Lino, by Uncle Mo, has won 2 of 7 starts and earned $316,160.

“He needed to win a race,” Sherlock said. “We got to win a race with a big pot. It’s a confidence-builder.”

As for the Kentucky Derby, Sherlock said he is a big fan of Nyquist, the undefeated champion 2-year-old male of 2015.

“I think he’s special,” Sherlock said.