Kentucky Derby introduced by Woodford Reserve winner Mystik Dan will proceed his pursuit of racing’s Triple Crown within the Could 18 $2 million Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, coach Kenny McPeek confirmed Could 11.
“The horse is doing unbelievable,” McPeek mentioned. “I’ve already organized the logistics of all of it, simply must hammer it out with all of the small particulars.”
The choice got here following a 1 1/2-mile Saturday morning gallop at Churchill Downs.
“He felt nice,” mentioned retired jockey Robby Albarado, who gallops Mystik Dan. “I assumed each day can be a development for him, and it’s. He is coming again to himself. He is beginning to get again into that race mode proper now.
“Immediately I let him stretch his legs slightly bit down the lane. He was comfy doing it, wished to do it.”
In November of his 2-year-old season, Mystik Dan developed a lung an infection when returning for an allowance race two weeks after his dominant maiden victory. McPeek is taking each precaution to verify the identical doesn’t occur within the two weeks resulting in the Preakness.
After Mystik Dan’s Saturday gallop and previous to deciding to enter the Preakness, McPeek had the horse scoped and blood work taken to verify all indicators have been wholesome. The ultimate step was calling the possession staff to get their approval.
“These are simply deep dive particulars, that is what we do in numerous races,” McPeek mentioned. “That is typical. Checking blood work is one thing we do on a regular basis.”
McPeek mentioned that the Derby winner will ship out to Pimlico Could 12. Albarado plans to reach in Baltimore Sunday with the expectation of using Mystik Dan Monday morning.
“He is so conscious of the place the stretch is,” Albarado mentioned. “You do not have to maneuver on him, and he picks it up on his personal. That is an indication of excellent horses, they know their environment and the place they’re at. That is the benefit of going as much as Pimlico this early.”
McPeek doesn’t plan to breeze Mystik Dan within the lead-up to the race and can construct upon the health gained from the Derby via routine gallops.
“We’re not altering any routine we do with some other horse any time,” McPeek mentioned. “That is what we’d have finished whether or not it was a maiden race or stakes race.”
THE COMPETITION AWAITS
As of Saturday morning, it seems Mystik Dan will meet 9 rivals within the Preakness beginning gate. Among the many confirmed starters are the Bob Baffert-trained pair of Arkansas Derby winner Muth and Santa Anita Derby runner-up Creativeness.
The 2 carried out their closing revealed exercise in firm collectively Could 10, breezing six furlongs in 1:11 4/5 at Santa Anita Park. Each horses will enter the race off six to seven weeks of relaxation, having missed the Kentucky Derby attributable to Baffert’s suspension by Churchill Downs.
D. Wayne Lukas may even ship a pair of horses, Pat Day Mile Stakes introduced by SAP winner Seize the Gray and Simply Metal, who completed two lengths behind Muth and 4 1/4 lengths forward of Mystik Dan within the Arkansas Derby.
After being roughed round at the beginning of the Derby, Simply Metal pulled to the lead. After urgent sharp fractions, he pale to complete seventeenth. Lukas will change riders to Joel Rosario for the Preakness.
“I believe (Rosario) is an efficient match,” Lukas mentioned. “We do not wish to change the horse’s fashion.”
Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby winner Catching Freedom is coaching nicely towards a possible begin within the Preakness, in accordance with coach Brad Cox. Entries might be taken for the Preakness on Monday, and Cox will possible make his choice that morning.
“I am not for positive, I might say 50/50,” Cox mentioned. “If he goes, he’ll go Monday after coaching.”
Different confirmed entrants embody Uncle Heavy, Tuscan Gold, and Mugatu. Federico Tesio Stakes winner Copper Tax is feasible.