GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) continued his preparation ahead of Saturday's GI Preakness S. with a leg-stretching trip around the Pimlico surface Tuesday morning under Robby Albarado. The pair jogged seven furlongs before Albarado let the colt gallop through 1 1/2 miles.
“I let him clip along today, and he's not even blowing,” Albarado told Pimlico media following the work. “I thought every day would be a better day for him. He's getting comfortable with his surroundings. He knows where he's at now. I couldn't be more pleased with the way he trained today. Every day I let him do what he feels like doing. I don't let him overdo it. I try not to make him do anything. He's all within himself.”
GI @KentuckyDerby winner MYSTIK DAN (Goldencents) out for a gallop on the main track at @PimlicoRC this morning.
Next up, the @PreaknessStakes! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/9yhrOziuQk
— TDN (@theTDN) May 14, 2024
Assistant trainer Ray Bryner, who joined Mystik Dan in Baltimore ahead of trainer Kenny McPeek's expected arrival later Tuesday, oversaw training.
“He's a consummate pro,” said Bryner. “Likes to train. Can't make him do anything wrong; he's a natural. He's laid back. But when the time comes, he can switch it on and off, like a key in the ignition, which is ideal.”
Mystik Dan drew post position five in a nine-horse field and, while rain threatens to persist throughout the week and into the weekend, Bryner remained optimistic.
“I think we have a huge chance. At the draw [Monday] night, I was tickled to death to get the 5 post, right in the middle of nine horses. We've got the favorite [Muth] inside us, so Brian can keep an eye on him. [Rain] won't affect him in any way, shape or form…. If it is a sloppy track, no muss, no fuss. He handles the kickback just like it's a dry racetrack. I'm not saying we'll have an edge if it's sloppy, but it's not going to hurt us.”
Wayne Lukas sent his Preakness pair to the track Tuesday with Just Steel (Justify) and Seize the Grey (Arrogate) both galloping Tuesday after arriving at Pimlico Monday.
“They came in in great shape,” said Lukas. “In fact, they had great energy today. I was really surprised, mostly because they're looking around and it's all new, but they had good energy. That's all you want when you get off that truck. That was 12 hours for them, and you just want their energy to be where it should be.”
The Bob Baffert-trained pair of 'TDN Rising Star' and morning-line favorite Muth (Good Magic) and Imagination (Into Mischief) left California Tuesday morning and were also expected to arrive in Maryland late in the afternoon.
🇺🇸 GI @PreaknessStakes contender CATCHING FREEDOM (Constitution), fourth in the @KentuckyDerby last time out, was feeling good this morning as he returned to the barn! @PimlicoRC pic.twitter.com/OpXX604CGB
— TDN (@theTDN) May 14, 2024
Also shipping in Tuesday were Catching Freedom (Constitution), who jogged a lap of the track after arriving around 2 a.m for Brad Cox., Tuscan Gold (Medaglia d'Oro) for Chad Brown, Uncle Heavy (Social Inclusion) and Mugatu (Blofeld).
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
