The suspension of Tex Sutton charters meant that GI Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit (Protonico) and his once-beaten stablemate, 'TDN Rising Star' Concert Tour (Street Sense) (video), had to endure a lengthy van ride over from Churchill Downs, but GI Preakness S.-bound duo arrived safely at Pimlico Race Course shortly after 2 p.m. Monday afternoon. The horses were overseen by assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes, who said they departed Louisville about 4:45 a.m. Monday morning.
“It seemed simple,” he said. “Actually, we're here even earlier than we fly sometimes. If you are on the second flight they have to come here and go back. Other than having to drive 600 miles, it went very smooth.”
Also making the trip from Kentucky were Beautiful Gift (Medaglia d'Oro), drawn widest for Friday's GII Black-Eyed Susan S.; 'Rising Star' Following Sea (Runhappy), slated to run in Saturday's GIII Chick Lang S.; and Hozier (Pioneerof the Nile), runner-up to Concert Tour in the GII Rebel S. who is headed to Saturday's Sir Barton S.
WATCH: Derby winner Medina Spirit arrives at Old Hilltop for Saturday's GI Preakness S.
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