The GI Kentucky Derby hero, Mystik Dan (Goldencents), will be pointed towards the May 18 running of the 149th GI Preakness Stakes at Baltimore's Pimlico Race Course, trainer Kenny McPeek said Saturday morning via a Churchill Downs press release.
“All systems go,” McPeek said. “He'll ship out in the morning.”
The champ had a routine 1 1/2-mile gallop at Churchill Downs under retired jockey Robby Albarado, who will be part of the Derby winner's travel team to Baltimore. After an endoscopic exam and bloodwork was analyzed just to ensure everything was normal, the colt was given the greenlight to travel to Maryland.
“The horse is doing fantastic,” McPeek said after Mystik Dan trained. “I've already kind of arranged the logistics of it all.”
Mystik Dan will get a rematch in the 1 3/16-mile Preakness with Muth (Good Magic), who won the GI Arkansas Derby in late March.
“He was ready for the Arkansas Derby,” McPeek said. “I'm not going to use that as an excuse. But he did get turned sideways in that turn, and Brian felt that cost him three or four lengths. But the horse fought back, fortunately… I'm optimistic we can give (Muth) another run.”
The draw for the Preakness will take place Monday, May 13.
Uncle Heavy, Mugatu Breeze for Preakness
Uncle Heavy (Social Inclusion), upset winner of the GIII Withers S. Feb. 3, received a very positive review from trainer Butch Reid Jr. Saturday morning after turning in his final breeze for the Preakness. Under his regular exercise rider Jose Castro, Uncle Heavy covered four furlongs in :47.34 (3/34) at Parx.
“He just worked great,” Reid said. “The track was a little bit faster up here today than it's been because of all the moisture that we had all week. With that said, he did it very well under control. We just let him run a little bit the last eighth of a mile. He finished up there in :47 and change and came back and couldn't blow out of match and barely took a couple of sips of water. It was just what we were looking for and he galloped out good and strong.”
Five-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. will ride Uncle Heavy in the Preakness, replacing Mychel J. Sanchez.
Mugatu (Blofeld), fifth in the GI Blue Grass S., breezed five furlongs in :59.60 at Belterra Park Saturday morning for a start in the Preakness.
“He's ready to go,” trainer Jeff Engler said. “I'm waiting to hear back from Brookledge. I think they said Tuesday or Wednesday. If it's Wednesday, it will obviously be early.”
Catching Freedom (Constitution), fourth in the GI Kentucky Derby, has been upgraded to “50-50” to run in the Preakness, according to trainer Brad Cox.
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