THE PREAKNESS STAKES...

[mrracetrack]

Rematch in store for Preakness



LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The top three choices from the Kentucky Derby, including runaway winner Barbaro, all came out of the race well and will move on to the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes on May 20 at Pimlico, their respective trainers said Sunday morning at Churchill Downs.
Barbaro, who was the second choice, "looks bright," his trainer, Michael Matz, said Sunday morning.

Barbaro was scheduled to go to Matz's barn at the Fair Hill training center in Maryland on Sunday afternoon. Matz said he would likely come to Pimlico a couple of days before the Preakness.

Brother Derek, who finished in a dead-heat for fourth after a wide trip, is also going to the Preakness, as is Sweetnorthernsaint, who went off as the favorite and finished seventh after a deceptively tough trip.

Dan Hendricks, the trainer of Brother Derek, said the colt would remain at Churchill Downs until May 17, when he would fly to Baltimore. Brother Derek lost his right front shoe in the race. "It's one of the things that probably cost us second," Hendricks said. "My hat's off to the winner."

Michael Trombetta, the trainer of Sweetnorthernsaint, said Sweetnorthernsaint would return on Monday to Laurel, where he is based. He said Sweetnorthernsaint would come to Pimlico either on race day, or a few days earlier if Trombetta decides to give him a work over the Pimlico track. Sweetnorthernsaint was bumped solidly at the start, made a prolonged, mid-race move to enter contention, then understandably flattened out late. "He passed a lot of horses," Trombetta said.

Barbaro, along with Brother Derek and Sweetnorthernsaint, all were grazing outside Churchill's Barn 42 on Sunday morning and appeared in good condition.

Lawyer Ron, who finished 12th in the Derby, is also likely to go to the Preakness.

Jazil, who finished in a deadheat with Brother Derek for fourth, is possible for the Preakness, according to Pimlico publicist Mike Gathagan. Others expected for the Preakness are Like Now, Bernardini, and Simon Pure, all of whom skipped the Derby.

Bluegrass Cat, who was second in the Derby, and Steppenwolfer, who was third, will await the June 10 Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown, their trainers said Sunday.

[soflat]

The DRF has free PP online now for Preakness probables and possibles.

They list the following:

Barbaro (Derby winner)
Brother Derek (4th DH Ky Derby)
Sweetnorthernsaint (7th Ky Derby)
Lawyer Ron (12th Ky Derby)
Bob and John (17th Ky Derby)
Like Now (2nd Lexington)
Bernardini (Withers winner)
Simon Pure (4th Ark Derby)
High Finance (Allowance winner)

[mrracetrack]

Lawyer Ron probably out of Preakness

Arkansas Derby (G2) winner Lawyer Ron will probably miss the Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 20 after the detection of inflammation in his right hind ankle.

The Langfuhr colt finished 12th in the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 6 at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Bob Holthus said he was awaiting consultation from a few veterinarians before a final decision is made.

"We should know something [Wednesday]," Holthus said. "He's just got a couple little issues and we don't know if we should give him a little time or if it would damage him if we went ahead and ran him again."

Lawyer Ron lost on dirt for the first time in his career in the Derby, finishing 21 ½ lengths behind Barbaro. Audrey Haisfield's Stonewall Farm Stallions purchased a majority interest in the colt on May 4 from the estate of James Hines Jr.

At this point, Brother Derek and Sweetnorthernsaint are the only beaten foes from the Derby who are considered probable opposition for Barbaro in the Preakness.

The trainers of both runners believe a smaller field will make the Preakness a fairer test than the Derby, which featured 20 starters.

"I don't want to insinuate that the horses that beat us aren't as good but I feel it will be a truer race," said Dan Hendricks, the trainer of Brother Derek. "I will not be going nine-wide in the stretch and have the adversity that you have in a 20-horse field. Same goes for Sweetnorthernsaint which makes for a great race."

"Right now we are all gunning for Mike Matz's horse," said Mike Trombetta, who trains Sweetnorthernsaint. "I certainly relish the opportunity to not have so much traffic and hopefully get a fairer shake at this thing. Neither Brother Derek nor us got the best of shakes Saturday. I'm sure we both would love another crack at it."

The possible new shooters include Withers Stakes (G3) winner Bernardini, Gotham Stakes (G3) winner Like Now, allowance winner High Finance, and Simon Pure, who finished fourth in the Arkansas Derby (G2).



Triple Crown trail: Barbaro returns to training at Fair Hill

Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Barbaro resumed training at Fair Hill Training Center on Wednesday with two jogs alongside trainer Michael Matz on a pony.
In the Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 20 at Pimlico Race Course, the Dynaformer colt will attempt to become the seventh horse in the last ten years to sweep the first two legs of the Triple Crown.

"He looks like he came out of the race well," Matz said. "I think he still has something left in the tank."

Illinois Derby (G2) winner Sweetnorthernsaint jogged one mile at Laurel Park in his first trip to the racetrack since finishing seventh in the Derby. The Sweetsouthernsaint gelding will ship over to Pimlico the morning of the Preakness.

"He was pretty bright and very willing," trainer Michael Trombetta said. "It looked like he was glad to get back out and is comfortable to be home."

Trainer Bob Holthus planned to examine Arkansas Derby (G2) winner Lawyer Ron again before a final decision is made on the colt's status for the Preakness. The Langfuhr colt came out of his 12th-place finish in the Derby with inflammation in his right hind ankle.

Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Brother Derek will return to the track at Churchill Downs on Friday and ship to Pimlico on May 17.

"He doesn't need much work," trainer Dan Hendricks said. "Knowing a 20-horse field is going to be in the Derby you know there is a chance you'll be bounced around that could knock you out of the Preakness. I always thought the Preakness set up better with the smaller field, usually ten or 12 horses. The sharper turns at Pimlico makes it a different race and one suited to our style. But you cannot pass the Derby—it is our signature race in our business. I am glad we didn't because I learned a lot about the horse that day."

Withers Stakes (G3) winner Bernardini breezed five furlongs in 1:01.80 on Wednesday at Belmont Park in a tuneup for the Preakness. The A.P. Indy colt galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.80.

"It was an excellent move," said trainer Tom Albertrani. "He ran nicely entering the stretch and picked it up in the lane."

Racing Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito added Hemingway's Key to the list of Preakness candidates. The Notebook colt finished eighth in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G2) on April 22 in his most recent start for George Steinbrenner's Kinsman Stable. Zito entered Hemingway's Key in the Kentucky Derby, but he was left out of the full field because of insufficient graded stakes earnings.

Simon Pure, fourth in the Arkansas Derby, was ruled out of consideration for the Preakness.

Racing Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said the Northern Dancer Stakes (G3) on June 17 at Churchill is among the options for the Silver Deputy colt.

"I think I'm going to pass," said Lukas. "There are some opportunities here, and I looked at the field and I just don't know that I'm ready to take those horses on at this point."

Lukas cited Barbaro's performance in the Derby as one reason for looking elsewhere with Simon Pure.

"I think he should scare a few horses away, me included," said Lukas. "I thought he did that very, very professionally and very easily. He clearly was the best horse and it's not always the best horse that wins the Kentucky Derby. But in this case I think he was clearly the best horse. Obviously, some of the horses behind him had excuses, but they're going to have to step up to beat this horse."

Gotham Stakes (G3) winner Like Now and recent Belmont allowance winner High Finance are also under consideration for the Preakness.

Trainer Bob Baffert plans to decide this weekend whether to start Bob and John and/or Point Determined in the Preakness. Both finished unplaced in the Derby. Baffert said Snow Chief Stakes winner Da Stoops is not a candidate for the Preakness.

[Pinababy69]

With regards to Lawyer Ron, sorta makes you wonder if they knew about that inflammation prior to the Derby, although I know all the horses are checked over before the race by the track vet. Just seems awfully funny that they decided to sell a majority share just days before the big race. Makes you wonder what else may be wrong with the horse?

[mrracetrack]

Barbaro expected to face small field in Preakness Stakes



Lael Stable's Barbaro, who dominated the Kentucky Derby (G1) with one of the fastest final-quarter mile times in the 132-year history of the race, will face what appears to be a small number of opponents when he takes the next step on the Triple Crown trail in the Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 20 at Pimlico Race Course.

An approximate field of eight is expected for the 1 3/16-mile Preakness, including Barbaro, beaten Derby favorite Sweetnorthernsaint, Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Brother Derek. Others expected are Gotham Stakes (G3) winner Like Now, Withers Stakes (G3) winner Bernardini, Hemingway's Key, Lewis Michael, and perhaps either Bob and John or Point Determined from trainer Bob Baffert's barn.

Whether more contenders come out of the woodwork remains to be seen, but the fact that Barbaro came home in :24.34 for his final quarter and won the Derby by 6 1/2 lengths has obviously scared off some of his 19 beaten opponents from the Derby.

Barbaro also has the benefit of training at his home base in the two-week period between the Derby and Preakness and all reports indicate that the Dynaformer colt settled in nicely after shipping from Louisville to the Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, Maryland.

"It's a lot quieter here than it is at Churchill Downs," trainer Michael Matz said. "He was able to train and go out and graze for an hour and he's back in his own stall and it's very quiet now. If there is any doubt about a horse recovering from a race, the peace and quiet I'm sure will help him. It certainly has its advantages."

Barbaro is not scheduled to work between the Derby and the Preakness, a move many trainers have utilized over the years, but Matz could blow him out an eighth through the stretch of the Fair Hill track early next week. Barbaro is also not expected on the Pimlico grounds until two days or the day before the race.

"Our plans are day to day, depending on the weather," Matz said. "We don't have anything special planned for him at this time."

[mrracetrack]

With regards to Lawyer Ron, sorta makes you wonder if they knew about that inflammation prior to the Derby, although I know all the horses are checked over before the race by the track vet. Just seems awfully funny that they decided to sell a majority share just days before the big race. Makes you wonder what else may be wrong with the horse?

Lawyer Ron to undergo bone chip surgery Friday

Arkansas Derby (G2) winner Lawyer Ron will miss the Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 20 and undergo surgery to remove a chip from his right hind ankle, trainer Bob Holthus said on Thursday morning.

Equine surgeon Larry Bramlage will perform the procedure on Friday at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington.

Lawyer Ron will miss about 30 days of training.

"It's nothing major," Holthus said. "He's just got a little chip."

The injury was discovered after Lawyer Ron finished 12th in the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 6 at Churchill Downs, which snapped a six-race win streak that included the Risen Star (G3), Southwest, and Rebel (G3) Stakes and Arkansas Derby.

Audrey Haisfield's Stonewall Farm Stallions purchased an 80% interest in Lawyer Ron for an undisclosed amount from the estate of owner-breeder James Hines Jr. on May 4.



I'll bet the new "80% owners" are NOT thrilled with this...

[Cynthia777]

Contenders

1 LIKE NOW Kiaran McLaughlin Garrett Gomez 12-1

2 PLATINUM COUPLE Joseph Lostritto Jose Espinoza 50-1

3 HEMINGWAY'S KEY Nick Zito Jeremy Rose 30-1

4 GREELEY'S LEGACY George Weaver Richard Migliore 20-1

5 BROTHER DEREK Dan Hendricks Alex Solis 3-1

6 BARBARO Michael Matz Edgar Prado 1-1

7 SWEETNORTHERNSAINT Michael Trombetta Kent Desormeaux 4-1

8 BERNARDINI Thomas Albertrani Javier Castellano 8-1

9 DIABOLICAL Steve Klesaris Ramon Dominguez 30-1

[mrracetrack]

Barbaro set to answer more questions in Preakness



A small field is shaping up for the 131st running of the Preakness Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course, leaving the race with two major questions: Can Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Barbaro continue his brilliance and stay undefeated, and can Brother Derek and Sweetnorthernsaint, the only remaining beaten rivals from the Derby, take advantage of cleaner trips to turn the tables?

Barbaro enjoyed a beautiful trip in the Kentucky Derby, thanks in part to another perfectly executed ride from Edgar Prado but mainly due to the fact that the Dynaformer colt is a superior athlete with the ability to put himself in position to win.

In each of his six career starts Barbaro has never looked vulnerable, always in the perfect spot, always ready to make his run. He does not look vulnerable in the 1 3/16-mile Preakness, either.

The same cannot be said for Brother Derek and Sweetnorthernsaint, his two main rivals in the Preakness who are hoping to turn the tables at Pimlico.

Brother Derek finished fourth and Sweetnorthernsaint finished seventh in the Derby. A debate on which got a worse trip in the Derby could go on all night, with Brother Derek parked extremely wide and Sweetnorthernsaint bouncing around and being shut off on the inside.

Sweetnorthernsaint was very dominant in his three starts leading up to the biggest test of his career in the Gotham Stakes (G3) on March 18 at Aqueduct, winning a maiden claiming race by 16 lengths at Laurel in late December only to be disqualified, winning a maiden special weight race by 7 ¾ lengths in early January at Aqueduct, and then posting a ten-length win in the Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel Park in early February.

Sweetnorthernsaint was unlucky in the Gotham when he drew post ten in the field of ten, a draw that would only leave a short run to the first turn on Aqueduct's inner dirt track. He wound up chasing the early speed of Like Now and Keyed Entry running in the three path all the way around before finishing a game but non-threatening third behind those same two rivals.

Brother Derek has also handled things quite well when they go his way, as evidenced by his four consecutive victories in Southern California leading up to the Kentucky Derby. Those four wins came against a combined 21 opponents, however.

There is no room to debate the fact that Brother Derek was compromised by the No. 18 post in the Kentucky Derby, but the fact remains that the only other time he faced a big field outside of California he was defeated.

Fresh off a sharp front-running win in the Norfolk Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park, Brother Derek came to Belmont Park for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) as an outsider and was dismissed at 56.75-to-1. He outran his odds that day, finishing a credible fourth behind eventual champion Stevie Wonderboy, Grade 2 winner Henny Hughes, and two-time Grade 1 winner First Samurai, but for all intents and purposes was in another race that afternoon.

The way the Preakness is shaping up—with the small field, the speed-favoring nature of Pimlico's main track, and so on—figures to help Sweetnorthernsaint and Brother Derek. The only problem is their main opponent is Barbaro, who creates his own luck and makes things go his way.

[unicorn40]

Nice info. here........I'm hoping Barbaro takes it again......

[soflat]

I hope Barbaro wins too.

I look forward to seeing how he handles Brother Derek without the traffic problems. I think Barbaro will draw off again.

Of the newcomers, Bernardini and Like Now are the most interesting to me.
-Bernardini because of the speed figures and the Withers win in just his third outing.
-Like Now because he was second to Showing Up in the Lexington and won the Gotham against Sweetnorthernsaint. But they say Barbaro's connections are definitely not going to let him get an easy lead and control the pace (blew out a quarter mile workout yesterday).