Derby Rematch on Tap

by Steve Sherack

After putting on a show before a record crowd of 170,513 at Churchill Downs, the top three finishers from the GI Kentucky Derby are slated to lock horns again in the GI Preakness S. at Pimlico. 

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert's one-three of Zayat Stables' American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) and Kaleem Shah's Dortmund (Big Brown) returned to the track for the first time since Saturday's “Run for the Roses,” jogging at Churchill Downs Thursday a.m. 

“They jogged today and everything went really well,” Baffert said on Thursday's NTRA National Media Teleconference. “They'll go to the track and gallop. I'm going to get there [at Churchill] Sunday. I really doubt if I'm going to breeze them. I don't think they need any breezing. They're pretty much ready to roll. I'm just going to keep them strong, healthy and happy.” 

Baffert, already previously represented by a trio of Derby winners–Silver Charm (1997), Real Quiet (1998) and War Emblem (2002)–admitted to feeling added pressure this time around. 'TDN Rising Star' Dortmund, a dazzling winner of the GI Santa Anita Derby, entered with a perfect six-for-six record. Last year's champion 2-year-old, meanwhile, was the talk of the backstretch after gliding through a breathtaking five-furlong bullet beneath the Twin Spires Apr. 26. American Pharoah was untested in a pair of attempts at Oaklawn this spring, including an eight-length tally in the GI Arkansas Derby. 

“When he hit the wire, I was just so relieved,” Baffert reflected. “It was a feeling of gratefulness. It was a totally different Derby vibe than I ever had before. I had my boys there–it was such an emotional win. I was so thankful and grateful that I got to experience this again.” 

Baffert continued, “I knew I had this loaded gun with me with two great bullets and was thinking, 'I need to win this race.' If I don't win this race, why put myself through all this aggravation? I never felt so much pressure in my life.” 
Baffert didn't hold back one bit when asked to put Saturday's fourth Derby win in perspective. 

“It was the greatest day of my racing career,” he commented. 

While Baffert's three other Derby winners have doubled up in Baltimore, the 62-year-old isn't looking too far ahead yet at this point. 

“I just enjoy it now,” he said. “If it's meant to be, it's meant to be. I've been there three times [with a Triple Crown chance in the GI Belmont S.] and have come up short. It's an experience. To me, I don't even think about it. My concern right now is the Preakness and to have them run their races.” 

As for the top three finishers from the Derby returning in two weeks for the Preakness, Baffert concluded, “It's exciting. I think it's good for the sport.”

'Fired' Up for the Preakness…

While finally able to turn the tables on Dortmund after suffering a pair of heartbreaking defeats in the GI Los Alamitos Futurity and GIII Robert B. Lewis S., Arnold Zetcher's Firing Line (Line of David) came up just a length short to fellow Baffert trainee American Pharoah after pressing the early pace in the Derby. 

“Straight after the race, we were naturally a little disappointed,” trainer Simon Callaghan admitted. “But when you come to reflect from the race, he ran an incredibly good race, he really tried all the way and we're certainly very proud of him.”

The handsome bay, a $240,000 KEEAPR purchase, punched his ticket to Louisville with a track-record setting performance in the GIII Sunland Derby Mar. 22. 

“I think coming back from two weeks for any horse is sooner than you'd like,” the 32-year-old conditioner said of returning on short notice for the Preakness. “But I think the spacing we have in his two prior races–six weeks both times–is going to help out in the Preakness.” 

Both Callaghan and Hall of Fame rider Gary Stevens are confident that Firing Line can turn the tables in the Preakness. Firing Line went to the track for the second straight morning at Churchill for a jog Thursday. 

“I love the way he's come out of the race,” Callaghan said. “He's been eating up, he's been very bright–lots of positive vibes. I think we've got a really good chance of turning the tables, but obviously we highly respect both of Bob's runners and there's a couple of other interesting runners in there as well. It's going to be tough, but we feel that we certainly have a good chance to do it.” 

Despite remaining on his left lead down the stretch, Stevens was thrilled with Firing Line's performance in the Derby. 

“He's the first horse that I've ridden in the Derby that was still a fresh horse [after crossing the wire],” Stevens said. “The outrider had to pull him up. I think the Derby probably did him even more good.”