Growth Equity captured Saturday’s Peter Pan Stakes at Aqueduct and could be a contender for the Belmont Stakes. (Photo by Susie Raisher, courtesy of NYRA)
With the post position draw for the Preakness Stakes set for Monday evening, several 3-year-olds from around the world were already in action over the weekend, gearing up for the European Classics and Royal Ascot. Meanwhile, some 2-year-olds were also getting ready for the Royal meeting in Florida.
It’s an exciting time of year with plenty of action on the track.
**Triple Crown Update**
Outfielder claimed the William Walker at Churchill Downs on Saturday and is now headed to Royal Ascot’s Coronation Cup. (Photo courtesy of Churchill Downs)
After a week of evaluating their horses’ condition and chances, it appears that two Kentucky Derby contenders will be among the 14 3-year-olds entered Monday evening for the Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park. Many of the connections hope their draw number is a single digit—even though Derby winner Golden Tempo clinched victory from the outside stall.
Rodeo Drive won Sunday’s Grade 1 NHK Mile Cup at Tokyo Racecourse. (Photo by and courtesy of Katsumi Saito)
Silent Tactic, scratched from the Derby due to a bruised foot, is likely to be the favorite for the 1 3/16-mile Preakness if trainer Mark Casse is satisfied by Monday that the foot has healed.
“We have been training him with a full pad on his foot,” Casse said Sunday of the Arkansas Derby runner-up. “It covers the bottom of his foot. You don’t want to run in that in a race because you would not get the traction with that foot.”
Great White is also on a last-minute timeline. He was scratched from the Run for the Roses after flipping behind the starting gate at Churchill Downs. He is set to run in the Preakness if his connections give the final go-ahead.
“He looks really good. He felt really good,” trainer John Ennis said after riding the colt Sunday morning.
Ocelli, who made the Kentucky Derby field after other horses defected and finished third, will try again in the Preakness. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione believes he belongs, despite having yet to win a race.
“It only takes one,” Gaffalione said. “He could definitely be that one.”
Track officials noted that only six horses have recorded their first win in the Preakness—none since Refund in 1888.
The other returning Derby starter, Robusta, launched from gate 18 at Churchill Downs as the last “also eligible” to make the field and finished 14th.
“From that gate, it was a real challenge,” said trainer Doug O’Neill, echoing the desire for a middle to low draw at Laurel. Others hoping for an inside post included Chip Honcho’s mentor, Steve Asmussen, Iron Honor’s Chad Brown, and local hope Taj Mahal’s Brittany Russell.
Meanwhile, action took place at Aqueduct and Monmouth Park. The weekend’s two major 3-year-old races both went to colts owned by Seth Klarman and trained by Chad Brown, with names tied to the financial industry.
On Sunday at Aqueduct, Growth Equity tracked the leaders in the $200,000 Grade III Peter Pan, came four-wide to challenge for the lead, and pulled away for a 2-length victory. The Nyquist colt ran 1 1/8 miles on a good track in 1:50.25 under jockey Flavien Prat. The colt now has two seconds and two wins. Brown said he’ll discuss the Belmont Stakes with Klarman but didn’t sound enthusiastic.
On Sunday at Monmouth Park, Hedge Ratio came from off the pace in the $100,000 Long Branch Stakes to win by a head over Star Sweeper. The favorite, Bricklin, finished last of four. Assistant trainer Luis Cabrera indicated it’s likely Hedge Ratio will target the Grade III Matt Win Stakes at Saratoga next.