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THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2019
by: Valerie Mellema
After a controversial weekend with the DQ in the Kentucky Derby, here's the latest in horse racing this week.
Preakness Updates: No Chance of a Triple Crown This Year
With all of the controversy over the Kentucky Derby DQ, trainer of Kentucky Derby winner COUNTRY HOUSE, Bill Mott, has announced that the colt will not be running in the Preakness, as he developed a cough after the Derby.
WAR OF WILL was supposed to jog Tuesday after the Derby, but did not as trainer Mark Casse noticed some discomfort in his right front foot. After a little TLC, the colt did jog Wednesday morning and is being pointed towards the Preakness on May 18th.
IMPROBABLE is also likely to ship to Pimlico on the 15th. The colt walked four days after the Derby, in which he placed 4th after the DQ. Baffert has tapped Mike Smith to be the jockey instead of Irad Ortiz for the Preakness.
Trainer Bret Calhoun has stated that MR. MONEY will likely bypass the Preakness and be pointed to the June 15th Matt Winn Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs before the Indiana Derby (G3).
Maximum Security Post Derby
MAXIMUM SECURITY exited the Kentucky Derby with abrasions on his hind legs and his connections have therefore not made a decision regarding the Preakness. The owners, Gary and Mary West, as well as their racing manager, Ben Glass, had planned to pursue the Triple Crown if they were able to get the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to overturn the DQ in the Derby.
Minutes after the West's filed an appeal on the Derby decision to disqualify the colt by the stewards, the appeal was denied stating that all decisions are final. West has now turned his attention to filing a lawsuit in federal court.
Trainer Jason Servis also indicated a potential issue with the stewards' ruling. Within five minutes of the decision being final, he stated that he phoned their booth and asked, "And there was one claim of foul?" They said, "Yes, the number 20." Servis asked for the steward's name and he stated that Servis was on speakerphone and talking to all three stewards. Later in the press conference, Chief Steward Barbara Borden stated that two riders lodged objections, the second coming from jockey Jon Court, who rode LONG RANGE TODDY. Therefore, contradicting the phone conversation Servis had with them following the decision.
After returning to training, MAXIMUM SECURITY could be looking at the July 20th Haskell Invitational (G1).
Instagrand Suffers Sesamoid Fracture
If you thought INSTAGRAND didn't look his best in the Pat Day Mile (G3), it was because he exited the race with a sesamoid fracture hind his left hind leg and will require surgery. The colt finished eighth in the Pat Day Mile. While the colt appeared totally sound after the race, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer was concerned about his change in performance and had the colt sent for an examination. The prognosis for the colt to return to racing is very good, as the fracture is on the top of the sesamoid, rather than the bottom. He will have 90 days off before returning to training.
Current 2019 Preakness Stakes Possibles
Here's the current line up of potential Preakness starters:
Have a great week!
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