Barbaro will jog Wednesday; Lawyer Ron likely out of Preakness
Lael Stables' homebred BARBARO (Dynaformer), a smashing 6 1/2-length winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1) and unbeaten in six career starts, was hand-walked about 30 minutes on Tuesday and grazed another half-hour at his Fair Hill Training Center base near Elkton, Maryland. The Michael Matz-trained colt vanned to Fair Hills from Churchill Downs on Monday. "He's doing very good right now," Matz said. "He shipped very well from Churchill. Our plans are to take him and jog him tomorrow." At Churchill, trainer Bob Holthus removed Arkansas Derby (G2) winner LAWYER RON (Langfuhr) from consideration for the Preakness. A disappointing 12th in the Kentucky Derby, the chestnut colt underwent a nuclear examination on Monday. "Looks like we probably aren't going to come," Holthus explained. "We looked at the x-rays and saw some inflammation in the right hind ankle. Unless something good happens before Saturday, it doesn't look favorable." BROTHER DEREK (Benchmark) and SWEETNORTHERNSAINT (Sweetsouthernsaint), fourth (dead-heat) and seventh, respectively, in the Kentucky Derby, both walked at Churchill Downs on Tuesday morning and are on course to try Barbaro again at Old Hilltop. Dan Hendricks, conditioner of Brother Derek, believes that a smaller field next time will make the Preakness a fairer test.
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"I don't want to insinuate that the horses that beat us aren't as good, but I
feel it will be a truer race," Hendricks said. "I will not be going nine-wide in
the stretch and have the adversity that you have in a 20-horse field."
Sweetnorthernsaint's trainer, Michael Trombetta, echoed those same
sentiments.
"Right now, we are all gunning for Mike Matz's horse," Trombetta commented.
"I certainly relish the opportunity to not have so much traffic and hopefully get a fairer shake at this thing."
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin reported that Preakness contender LIKE NOW (Jules)
galloped Tuesday and will work at Belmont Park on Saturday. He said he'll meet
with owner John Dillon to discuss who will ride the Gotham S. (G3) winner and
Lexington S. (G2) runner-up.
Withers S. (G3) victor BERNARDINI (A.P. Indy) remains on course for trainer
Tom Albertrani, and HIGH FINANCE (Talk is Money), a five-length allowance winner
at Belmont last Thursday, is now being considered for the Preakness. The 1
3/16-mile test would be his first stakes attempt.
"We'll wait and see how things unravel in the next couple of days, which will
give us a better idea," said High Finance's trainer, Richard Violette.
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