Barbaro Updates: 276
updates are now here.
Update 1871: Today's Preakness press release:
BALTIMORE, 05-09-07---The top three finishers in last Saturday's Kentucky Derby (Grade I) were on the track this morning beginning preparations for the $1 million Preakness Stakes (Grade I) at historic Pimlico Race Course on May 19.
Trainer Carl Nafzger reported that Jim Tafel LLC's Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense galloped about a mile and an eighth at Churchill Downs at 7 a.m. The owner, meanwhile, is still basking in the glory of winning the first leg of the famed Triple Crown.
"It is a tremendous experience," Tafel said this morning. "There is nothing like it. I can't describe it-you have to live it. It will get even better if we happen to win the Preakness."
An hour earlier at Churchill Steve Asmussen took Curlin, the third place finisher in the "Run for the Roses" out for a one-mile jog. A decision on whether the morning line favorite in the Derby will run in Baltimore is expected to be made tomorrow according to co-owner Bill Gallion.
Meanwhile at Delaware Park, Hard Spun jogged a half mile and galloped a mile. Trainer Larry Jones is pleased with the way the son of Danzig has responded after his runner-up performance in Louisville.
"We're very very pleased," Jones said. "Hard Spun went really well this morning. We did a little bit more than we wanted to with him. He was really on the bit."
The Preakness field grew by one this morning when Bowie-based trainer Robbie Bailes announced he will start Mint Slewlep in Maryland's signature race. The son of Slew City Slew finished fourth in the Grade III Withers last month at Aqueduct and was fifth in the Grade III Gotham earlier this year. Bailes, who saddled Scrappy T to a second place finish in the 2005 Preakness, will ship his charge into the Pimlico stakes barn Sunday and work the bay colt Monday morning.
"We had this in the back of our mind depending on how many horses came out of the Derby," Bailes said. "He came out of the Withers real good and we decided to give it a shot. We always liked this colt, he is very professional. He has a lot of ability but we still have to find out if he is at this level. We trainers can always find excuses if we look hard enough but he has had hard luck and that is why we don’t know how good he really is."
The other confirmed starters are King of the Roxy, Teuflesberg and Xchanger, who galloped two miles at the Fair Hill Training Center this morning. D. Wayne Lukas will saddle either Flying First Class and/or Starbase.
Final decisions from the connections of C P West, Chelokee and Sedgefield are expected by next Monday.
"We are working Monday and if all goes well we'll be coming," said Nick Zito, who conditions C P West, the second place finisher in the Withers in his last start.
Note: DRF reported Sedgefield is out.
Update 1870: Sedgefield is out of Preakness consideration and Street Sense returns to galloping this morning: Sedgefield out of Preakness, excerpt:
After getting the previous two mornings off, Derby winner Street Sense was out for a strong and swift gallop of about one mile early Wednesday at Churchill. Tracey Wilkes was aboard for regular exercise rider Mark Cutler, who had the day off. Trainer Carl Nafzger said he is pleased with the way Street Sense has come out of the Derby.
Update 1869: A little foggy first thing this morning, but that soon cleared and the weather is beautiful. Three to ride again today, and it started with Mediman, who jogged two miles on the dirt track. She seems fine after her win last week. Next was Nautical Agent, and I took her across the fields. The "state" has mown a nice wide pathway close to the woods around the field we like to use, it becomes a great place to jog / hack horses around, up and down the slight inclines. Nautical Agent loved it, as did Gator Nation, who I did exactly the same with. Victor Molina was in the barn this morning, he "jocked" me off Happy! Course no problem with that as he bought in plenty of donuts and bagels, as is tradition after a win (or two in this case). I neglected to mention that Jesus Bracho also did this for us last week, so we are getting fat off the winners! Anyway, Victor was in good form and looking forward to riding some more winners for us (hopefully)! I also heard from Hawty Creek's owner (friend) and she is doing well. She had a little (well deserved) break and is now training again off their farm. Lets hope she continues to do well ... and loses her maiden tag!
Superfecta, who did a great job here in my absense, notes a recent passing (and triple crown news): RIP, Chilukki.
Update 1868: D. Wayne Lucas is looking to return to Triple Crown action and has two possibilities for the Preakness Stakes: Lukas works two Preakness possibles, excerpt:
While several Churchill-based horses being mentioned as probable starters for the 132nd Preakness - most notably Street Sense, the Derby winner, and Curlin, the third-place finisher - remained in their respective barns Tuesday morning, Lukas had both of his Preakness prospects out for serious work well before dawn. Flying First Class reeled off a five-furlong drill in 58.60 seconds, the fastest of 36 timed works at the distance, while Starbase went the same distance in 1:01.60. Lukas called the work by Flying First Class "awesome."
The four California horses that ran in the Derby are now safely returned to the West Coast: West Coast Derby quartet home safe, sound.
Today is media blitz day!
Congrats to the Illinois Legislature for doing the right thing!
*************************************
Welcoming committed individuals
to help save horses with the NC calling group...
an hour a week is all it takes, and we make it fun and easy...come on Tarheels, I know you're out there!
antislaughterlobby@earthlink.net
*************************************
Posted by: Christian at May 9, 2007 11:22 AM