Tag: Triple Crown

Trainer Todd Pletcher had no answers Tuesday morning as to whether 2-year-old champion Forte will be allowed to run in the May 20 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission late Monday afternoon issued an advisory that Forte, who was scratched on Derby morning because of a foot bruise sustained earlier in the week, is on the 14-day 'veterinarian's list' and ineligible to run during that time, including the Preakness.

“I read the statement put out (Monday) afternoon; that's really all I know at this point,” Pletcher said. “I was surprised, maybe not floored, but surprised. We're seeking some more clarity. Until we get it, we really don't know what our status is. According to that, we would not be eligible to run in the Preakness. That's all I know at this point.”

Pletcher sounded like he wants to be ready should something develop to where Forte could run in the Preakness.

“We weren't able to do much today with the weather conditions and sloppy going,” Pletcher said of Forte's easy gallop once around the track. “We'll continue to put out some normal gallops as best we can.”

The post ‘Surprised’ Pletcher ‘Seeking Some More Clarity’ About Forte’s Preakness Status appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing and CMNWLTH's Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage resumed training Tuesday morning, jogging and galloping twice around Churchill Downs' mile track in the slop under exercise rider J.J. Delgado.

The chestnut colt had two days off after winning Saturday's Derby by a length over Two Phil's.

“So far so good,” said Gustavo Delgado Jr., son of and assistant to trainer Gustavo Delgado. “Everything after the race has been very nice for him. He's eating everything. He went out for a jog and gallop today, and his way coming back, you could tell he wanted to do more. But so far, he needs to have all things quiet, so we're going to keep an eye on that so he doesn't do too much. He jogged one and then galloped one.”

A strong thunderstorm blew through Louisville at 3:30 Tuesday morning, but Mage remained calm, even as other horses became a bit agitated.

“I checked it out on the camera, because we have the CCTV on him,” Delgado Jr. said, adding with a laugh, “That's what I do now. I'm having dinner and I'll have my phone on and I put it on there.”

The elder Delgado said shipping plans to Baltimore have not been finalized for an expected start in the May 20 Preakness Stakes (G1) at historic Pimlico Race Course.

“I think we're going to go day by day,” he said. “I appreciate patience on that. We really don't want to feel any pressure about going or not going to the Preakness. We'll let the horse tell us. It's going to be a huge effort off of two weeks, then put him in a van. We were doing the math about the hours. Even sending him on a plane, it's about the same (with) taking him to the airport, then the layover. It makes more sense vanning.”

While short of committing 100 percent, Delgado Jr. said that they're seeing the right signs to continue on to the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown with Mage, who in his third career start was a close second in the Florida Derby won by 2-year-old champion Forte.

“So far, so good,” Delgado Jr. said. “We're really happy, and more importantly, he seems to be.”

He doesn't expect Mage to have a timed workout before the 1 3/16-mile Preakness.

“I don't think so,” Delgado Jr. said. “We're of the opinion that he's fit enough already and it's very much about keeping him happy at all times.”

Delgado Jr. reiterated what a thrill it was to represent the family's and jockey Javier Castellano's home country of Venezuela.

“The whole country, I understand, is in pure joy – and they should,” he said. “For us, we can't feel more proud. This is for them, pretty much…. I think I've watched the race like 400 times already and have at least another 400 to go before Friday.”

The post ‘We’ll Let The Horse Tell Us’: Mage’s Preakness Status Remains Dependent On Colt’s Condition appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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After finishing a bang-up second in the 149th Kentucky Derby, Two Phil's will not make his way to Maryland for the second jewel of the Triple Crown, trainer Larry Rivelli told the Daily Racing Form on Tuesday.

“He came back great, but it's 11 days from today,” Rivelli told DRF. “He just got home (to Hawthorne), he settled in, looks great, but it's way too soon. There's no pressure to do it. I might not have run even if he won, which would have been a bigger deal.”

The 3-year-old son of Hard Spun ran close to the hot early pace under jockey Jareth Loveberry, and took the lead at the head of the stretch but was run down by Mage in the final eighth of a mile.

Next-race options for Two Phil's include the Belmont Stakes on June 10, the Grade 3 Matt Winn at Churchill on June 11, or other options later down the road, like the Jim Dandy and/or Travers at Saratoga.

Meanwhile, DRF also reported that Federico Tesio Stakes winner Perform will be supplemented to the Triple Crown for $150,000 for a start in the Preakness Stakes. Trained by Shug McGaughey, the Good Magic colt came from well off the pace and endured a tough trip to win Laurel's Tesio by a head on April 15.

“I thought he moved up a lot going two turns on dirt, he finished strong [in the Tesio],” McGaughey said. “Distance will help him. It's something we decided we wanted to do.”

Read more at the Daily Racing Form here and here.

The post Two Phil’s Will Skip Baltimore Trip; Tesio Winner Perform Supplemented To Preakness For $150,000 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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