Trainer Michael McCarthy made his first start in a Triple Crown race a big one at Pimlico race course in Baltimore, Md., winning Saturday's 146th running of the Grade 1, $1-million Preakness Stakes with John and Diane Fradkin's homebred Twirling Candy colt Rombauer. Ridden to perfection by Flavien Prat, Rombauer came from off the pace to win the Triple Crown's middle jewel, racing past dueling leaders Midnight Bourbon and Medina Spirit in midstretch to win by 3 1/2 lengths.
Midnight Bourbon held second, with 2-1 favorite Medina Spirit third, Keepmeinmind fourth and Crowded trade fifth in the field of 10 3-year-olds. Unbridled Honor, France Go de Ina, Risk Taking, Concert Tour and Ram completed the order of finish.
Rombauer paid $25.60 for the win, his third from seven career starts. He ran the 1 3/16 miles in 1:53.62.
“I'm so proud of this horse, everybody involved,” said McCarthy, fighting back tears as he spoke to NBC's Kenny Rice. “It means a lot to be here and participate on a day like this. I'm happy for the Fradkins. It just goes to show you that small players in this game can be successful, as well. Hats off to everybody. I wish my family could be here. Fantastic.”
Rombauer was produced from the Cowboy Cal mare, Cashmere
With just two mares, the Fradkins typically sell their foals but they opted to race Rombauer after COVID-19 altered the 2020 auction schedule of 2-year-olds in training. On the advice of consignor Eddie Woods, they put him in training instead, sending him to McCarthy in California, and had hoped to sell him privately once he raced.
Rombauer won his debut on July 25, coming from off the pace to win a one-mile maiden race on turf by a half length. John Fradkin was hoping that would generate interest in the horse, but when the Beyer Speed Figure came up a relatively low 55, there were no calls.
After Rombauer's Preakness victory, Fradkin said he later would learn that Del Mar's timing system was not working properly and the race was probably run much faster than the official time. If the real time was published, Fradkin said, the horse probably would have been sold.
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