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I'll Have Another thriving; Hansen hopes to regain championship

I'll Have Another continues to amaze trainer Doug O'Neill (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club) Trainer Doug O'Neill liked what he saw before, during and after I'll Have Another's "fantastic" gallop Friday morning at Pimlico Race Course, where the son of Flower Alley is preparing for a start in Preakness 137 on May 19. "I'm looking for energy and for him to maintain his stride. He has such a long stride. He continues to keep that," O'Neill said. "He's got great energy and a great appetite. Those are the basic things I'm looking to maintain." O'Neill paused during a media interview session to marvel at the gleaming chestnut coat of Reddam Racing's Kentucky Derby winner, who bathed in the bright morning sun while being given a post-gallop bath. "Look at that coat. He's handled everything. He shipped from California to Kentucky and now to Maryland. He hasn't missed a beat. An average horse couldn't do that. As you ask horses to do things like this, the average horse would lose his appetite and you'd have to back off and slow down," O'Neill said. "I'll Have Another has just been thriving on it. The more we ask him the more he gives. His overall appearance and energy level are just sensational." I'll Have Another has won three straight starts this year, capturing the Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis and the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby before scoring by 1 1/2 lengths over pacesetter Bodemeister in the Kentucky Derby. O'Neill said it takes a very special horse to accomplish what I'll Have Another has accomplished while remaining at the top of his game. "He's a very confident colt. He's a very relaxed colt. He sleeps a lot in his stall, which is a great sign of a big horse. He's very reserved. Then, on the track he's got a lot of energy and spunk, but not nervous energy," O'Neill said. "If he were human, he would have been somebody on stage doing Broadway or a top athlete. He likes the spotlight. He thrives on the attention. That's a special quality."

The entire Team O'Neill, including assistant trainer Jack Sisterson, physical therapy consultant Tyler Cerin and exercise rider Jonny Garcia, will compete in Saturday's Preakness 5K on the grounds of Pimlico.

The race will kick off a busy Preakness Week schedule of events for O'Neill, who will attend the Baltimore Ravens rookie mini-camp in Owings Mills on Sunday (11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT).

On Tuesday, the 43-year-old native of Dearborn, Michigan, will pay a visit to Johns Hopkins Children's Hospital before moving on to Orioles Park at Camden Yards to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the O's game against the New York Yankees (7:05).

On Wednesday, he and jockey Mario Gutierrez will visit the Boys & Girls Club at CC Jackson Recreation Center, near Pimlico.

While I'll Have Another has taken pro tempore leadership of the three-year-old division, last year's champion Hansen is plotting a path to regain his position.

Dr. Kendall Hansen and Skychai Racing's colt galloped 1 1/4 miles Friday morning at Churchill Downs' Trackside Training Center under exercise rider Joel Barrientos for trainer Mike Maker.

According to Dr. Hansen, the Preakness remains a possibility for his colt.

"There are a lot of variables involved, but it will probably be a last-minute decision next Monday or Tuesday," Hansen said. "Mike wants to see how he is doing and look at who is going to be in the field and so forth."

Dr. Hansen said the goal for the horse is to get another Eclipse Award this year.

"It is a tough call," Hansen said of the Preakness. "We want him to be the three-year-old champion, but to do that, he has to win one of the classics.

"The mile and three-sixteenths (of the Preakness) may be a little bit out of his best distance. I think he is best between seven and nine furlongs but he can go more than nine if he is calm and relaxed like he was in the (Grade 3) Gotham."

Friday was the third day back to the track for Hansen, who finished ninth in the Kentucky Derby.

"He looks very good out there," Maker said. "It looks like he came out of the race very well."

More Triple Crown News & Notes:

American Pharaoh back at Churchill, to parade Stephen Foster night

Zayat, Baffert hail Triple Crown champion American Pharoah

Espinoza's schedule remains packed; McAnally reminisces on past TC winners

Baffert: American Pharoah is 'my best hope for the Triple Crown'

Pletcher reminisces on past Belmont victories

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