Sovereignty Decision Around the Corner, Preakness Field Takes a Hazy Shape

[Wandering Eyes]

While his status for the Preakness is still undecided, GI Kentucky Derby hero Sovereignty (Into Mischief) continues to impress his team with how well he has rebounded from his long stretch battle with Journalism (Curlin) last Saturday, but a decision might be around the corner.

Since his win in the Spring marquee race, the son of Into Mischief has reportedly done no wrong, and has continued to thrive in his return to routine. Michael Banahan, Godolphin's director of bloodstock, told Steve Byk on his Monday morning satellite radio show that a decision on the colt's Preakness prospects would likely be made 'in the next couple of days.'

“We fully respect what the Triple Crown means for the industry, for racing in America,” Banahan told Byk. “Most importantly, the decision will be made to do what's best for the horse.”

“It looks like he's come out of the race well. He did have a scrape on his pastern that needed to be treated somewhat. We'll just see how he gets over that, what his energy levels are going to be like. That is always the question that's asked the minute the winner goes by the finish line under the Twin Spires: 'Is he going to run in the Preakness?'”

He continued, “[Trainer Bill Mott] will see how he responds, how the team thinks the horse is doing, and we'll huddle up in probably in the next couple of days. We won't wait too long, because if he's pulled in that direction, we need to get him placed to do that.”

Bob Baffert is reportedly mulling a trip to Pimlico for more runners than just Rodriguez (Authentic), who was scratched out of the Kentucky Derby with a minor foot bruise. The trip back to California was postponed to monitor track and weather conditions after four straight days of rain.

“We're planning on going with Rodriguez,” Baffert said of the GII Wood Memorial winner. “Citizen Bull [the 2-year-old champion who finished 15th], I doubt if I'm taking him.”

Baffert did conceded that he's changed his mind before on horses he wasn't intending to take to the Preakness, and had it work in his favor. He continued that it took about a week to properly evaluate horses after they come back from the Derby. If the pattern holds, Citizen Bull's status may yet change. As for his other 'Rising Star', it is all systems go.

“[Rodriguez's] foot is fine now. It was one of those things. We can't run a horse over a track like that when [the bruise] is fresh.”

Another noteworthy addition on the plane to Maryland could be 'TDN Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time), who is being considered for the Listed Sir Barton Stakes, after a stylish allowance victory on the Derby undercard.

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas confirmed Monday that American Promise (Justify) will be pointed toward the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. After a rough trip where the conditioner contends his charge was twice compromised, the chestnut finished 16th and seeks to rebound from that effort with a record-tying eighth victory for Lukas.

“He got wiped out at the gate by the one-hole coming over. Actually, three of us took a beating on that. Then he made up good ground, and when he was ready to make a move, they shut him down again.”

The Brendan Walsh runner, GII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes winner Gosger (Nyquist), is under consideration for the Preakness. The grandson of Arch's Gal Edith–dam of I'll Have Another–worked five-eighths May 1 in 1-minute flat. The trainer floated the idea of a start after his colt's win in the Keeneland graded, stating in the post race interview that while it hadn't been in the plans initially, they would be putting more thought into an entry.

Withdrawn from the Derby to focus on the upcoming target, 'TDN Rising Star' GISP River Thames (Maclean's Music) is slated for the Preakness as well as trainer Jamie Osborne's G2 UAE Derby runner-up Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A.P.). Another possible is Pay Billy (Improbable), who earned an automatic entry into the race via capturing the Listed Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park Apr. 19, and his trainer as previously mentioned that the intent is to go if the horse is doing well.

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