LAUREL, Md. – Napoleon Solo and Iron Honor, the top two finishers from Saturday’s $2 million Preakness Stakes in Maryland, were both back at their New York bases Sunday afternoon and are likely to meet again in New Jersey in two months.
Owner Peter Brant, who has enjoyed immense success over the last eight years since teaming up exclusively with Chad Brown, has moved approximately 75 percent of his stable from the five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer, sending runners to Bill Mott, Riley Mott, and Miguel Clement, Brant confirmed Thursday.
LAUREL, Md. – In addition to consulting with the principals of Pin Oak Stud, the owners of Incredibolt, trainer Riley Mott sought the advice of another person before deciding whether to wheel the sixth-place finisher from the Kentucky Derby back in two weeks in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes: his Hall of Fame training father, Bill Mott.
Danon Bourbon, who finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby, beaten three lengths after holding a two-length lead in midstretch, was diagnosed with a chipped knee, his connections announced on Wednesday.
Danon Bourbon is scheduled to undergo surgery and the hope is he can come back in 2027.
“The timing of his return is undecided due to the results of surgery and subsequent rehabilitation, but I think he will focus on rest by the end of the year," trainer Manabu Ikezoe was quoted as saying in Japanese media reports.
Jockey Cristian Torres has appealed a five-day suspension levied by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority for whip violations while riding in both the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks last week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, according to documents posted by HISA on its website.
In the separate rulings, Torres was alleged to have struck Search Party, his mount in the Oaks, eight times, two above the limit of six. In the Derby, he was alleged to have struck Robusta seven times. Search Party finished 10th, and Robusta finished 14th.
Trainer Brittany Russell arrived on the second floor of the Laurel Park grandstand minutes before the draw for the 151st Preakness Stakes on Monday evening. Flanked by her family, she couldn’t find a place to sit. Without many options, the woman of the hour reluctantly chose to take a couch right in front, as if propelled to center stage.
LAUREL, Md. – With the Preakness Stakes temporarily relocating from Pimlico to Laurel Park in 2026, much has been made of the effect the move will have on configurations for the 1 3/16-mile race. With a much shorter run to the first turn and slightly shorter stretch, some experts have said the changes could have a massive impact on the race, but local jockeys aren’t panicking.
It seems like change has been a constant for the hallowed Triple Crown series this decade. After the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic turned the world, the racing calendar in general, and the series upside down, the last three years have seen upheaval due to massive renovations of historic racetracks in New York and now in Maryland.
LAUREL, Md. – Finishing third in the Kentucky Derby is obviously not as good as winning. But for the connections of Ocelli, their colt’s third at 70-1 as a maiden in the 152nd Kentucky Derby two weeks ago at Churchill Downs felt pretty satisfying.
Ocelli, who only drew into the Derby off the also-eligible list two days before the race, made a sustained rally under Tyler Gaffalione that carried him from 17th to the lead inside the sixteenth pole. The lead was short-lived, however, as Ocelli was passed by Golden Tempo and Renegade, ultimately beaten one length at the wire.
A New York appellate court has upheld a decision by the state’s racing regulator to impose a 10-day suspension on trainer Todd Pletcher for a 2022 post-race positive of a regulated anti-inflammatory medication.
The Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court issued the ruling on May 7 to uphold the suspension, which was issued after Pletcher's horse Forte tested positive for meloxicam after winning the Hopeful Stakes on Sept. 5, 2022, at Saratoga Race Course. The ruling was first reported by The Blood-Horse.
