For all the shock waves generated by the 80-1 winner of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), followed by the Triple Crown that became a point of contention less than a week later, the Preakness Stakes May 21 (G1) managed to retain some drama.
Even with the emerging Run for the Roses winner Rich Strike passes Preakness $1.5 million in favor of Belmont Stocks presented by NYRA Bets (G1), in presence of Longines winner Kentucky Oaks (G1) Secret Vow in the middle of a field of nine 3-year-olds created the potential for a heated battle between the aging sexes Pimlico racetrack.
Dirty Secret Vow, Kentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter and attractive “new shooter” Vote early was the center of attention at the May 16 draw for the jewel in the middle of the Triple Crown and those featured in the morning line.
Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Epicenter is drawn into tomorrow morning’s draw 6-5 and lands in 8th with Withers Stakes (G3) winners, early draw in column 5 (7-odds). 2) and the Secret Oath received column 4 (9-2).
The rest of the school, from the rails out, consists of: Simplify (Lessons 1, 6-1), Creative Minister (2, 10-1), Fenwick (3, 50-1), Jack is happy (6, 20-1), Armagnac (7, 12-1), Skippylongstocking (9, 20-1).
Epicenter was the 4-1 favorite in the May 7 Kentucky Derby and, despite moving to a test speed of 1: 10.34, it appeared to be the winner of the last sixteenth game when he repelled a duel that lasted from Zandon . But before the all-time winning North American coach, Steve Asmussen, was able to claim his initial victory in Run for the Roses, Rich Strike arose within the dueling leaders and then overtook them late for an amazing 3/4- a lasting victory over Winchell’s son Not this time .
Winchell Thoroughbreds race manager David Fiske said: “The Winchell family has won races around the country and a number of wins in Europe, but the three classics have eluded us until this moment”. “Thought we’d won (May 7). We finished second in Preakness last year (with a win). Midnight Bourbon ). We came in third with Ten-fold in (2018 Triple Crown Winner) Evenly of year. We’re spying on it. Maybe we can finish the coin collection. “
Fiske says lesson 8 will work well for Epicenter.
“The result is fine, he loads almost last. With his running style where he can be put in front and run behind the horse, he’ll be fine anywhere,” he said. ,
Fiske admits he was a bit taken aback by the house’s 6-5 bid for the Kentucky Derby runners-up.
“I’m a bit surprised because I haven’t heard anyone charge him that low. I guess that’s a sign of confidence.”
The Epicenter, bred in Kentucky by Westwind Farms, took four of the seven starts, with the win in the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2), contested by the same 1/3/16 mile distance as Preakness and Preakness. Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford (G2).
The Vow of Secrets After Her Victory in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs
The Briland Ranch’s Purebred Secret Oath has settled the boys before, finishing in a tough third at the Arkansas Derby (G1) last month at Oaklawn Park. Seemingly exhausted, the sport’s living legend, 86-year-old coach D. Wayne Lukas, is back in top form for the Oaks.
Though the late Arrogate’s daughter was the third bronze pick in a top heavyweight Oaks playground, she handled her 13 distaff opponents with strength, a two-way win under new driver Luis Saez more preferred Nest for the fifth Oaks win to match Lukas’ record.
“We discussed it thoroughly (with the owners),” Lukas said. “We studied who would go and who might go, trying to get a feel for the race. one shot and go.”
Secret Oath will try to be the seventh person to win Preakness and the second of three versions. Swiss skydivers caused an uproar in 2020.
The Klaravich Stables’ early voting had enough points to qualify to run in the Kentucky Derby, but coach Chad Brown chose to reserve it for his speed son. Gunman for Preakness and send the winner Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) Zandon in the opening leg of the Triple Crown, where he finished third.
“He’s practicing really well and the space is right for him. He appreciates time a little bit more,” Brown said of the Wood Memorial Stakes runner-up presented by Resorts World Casino (G2). display. “If he goes into Preakness the way he’s been training, he’s got a pretty good shot in there.”
Early voting (outside) a breeze with Miles D May 13 at Belmont Park
With his horse either taking the lead early or just off course, Brown had no problem with him breaking through midfield from post 5.
“It seemed like a comfortable place,” said the four-time Eclipse winner. “He’s normally a good gate horse. Hopefully he breaks well, and we’ll let (jockey Jose Ortiz) take it from there.”
If Early Voting captures Preakness, it will give Brown and Klaravich boss Seth Klarman their second classic win and reflect the path of their 2017 Preakness winner. Cloud computing , who also jumped from Wood to Preakness. Cloud Computing came in third in Wood Memorial.
Raised by Three Chimneys Ranch, Early Vote has only raced three times, won twice.
The Secret Vow and Early Voting were among six participants who did not start in the Kentucky Derby. Known as the “new shooters” in Preakness, these Triple Crown newcomers are looking for their third straight win and fourth in six years following a nine-win streak in 10 years with the Run for starters. the Roses.
Tami Bobo and Tristan de Meric’s Simplification took advantage of brutal pace to finish 15th and fourth in the Kentucky Derby. The son of Not this time coached by Antonio Sano, was very consistent, winning the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and winning or placing in three of the four graded stakes.
Sano was fine when his running late 3-year-old swerved off the tracks.
Simplified trains before the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
“I have no problem with the post,” Sano said. “The speed horses are outside of him. He has room behind the speed to run.”
Happy Jack of Calumet Ranch is the third Kentucky Derby starter to return in two weeks for the Preakness.
The hybrid son of the 2013 Preakness winner Oxbow Happy Jack was quite disappointed in Run for the Roses as he finished last in field 20 after the opening half mile and finished in 14th place. Before that, he was a more promising third in Runhappy. Santa Anita Derby (G1) for coach Doug O’Neill.
“We’ve done a bunch of diagnostics on him, taken blood. He’s checking all the boxes of a horse that got out of his recent race in good shape. We like the distance. Preakness and we prefer a shorter pitch than 20 horses in a Derby,” said O’Neill. “Oh, by the way, his king, Oxbow, won this race, and that’s a great thing.”
Calumet Farm holds the record for Preakness wins by an owner and breeder, with seven in both categories.
This school also includes Santa Anita pension compensation option winner, Armagnac (Quality Sugar ), who had previously been coached by the suspended Bob Baffert and finished fourth in the Santa Anita Derby; Creative Minister (Creative cause ), a winner claims an allowance option for coach Ken McPeek on the Kentucky Derby card; Skippylongstocking, son of 2016 Preakness winner Magnifier who is third in Wood; and Fenwick (Curlin ), who ranked 11th in Blue Grass Stakes.
Un Ojo was not allowed in due to recurrent leg bruising.
