Preakness Still Packs A Punch Without The Derby Winner

[Wandering Eyes]

BALTIMORE, MD — In the days leading up to the 150th Preakness, a lot had been made of the one horse that wouldn't make it into Saturday's lineup at Pimlico–Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief). However, those that have been entered in the final renewal of the Classic race before Old Hiltop faces the demolition man are certainly no slouches.

Leading the fray, Journalism (Curlin) returns off a runner-up finish in the Run for the Roses. Lest some may have forgotten, however unlikely, he went off post-time favorite for the 10-furlong Classic after winning four straight races, including this season's GII San Felipe Stakes and GI Santa Anita Derby.

“I have a lot of confidence in my horse,” said trainer Michael McCarthy. “He's coming back in two weeks. Sometimes with good horses, it's a lot harder to tell when they're not on top of their game, because they can handle it. They handle these things so easily. We'll see on Saturday, but my gut tells me we're in for good things.”

And McCarthy should know, having won the Preakness with his very first runner, Rombauer (Twirling Candy), in 2021.

Already having proven he can handle an off track, the versatile colt offers rider Umberto Rispoli flexibility in the 1 3/16-mile Classic.

“I wouldn't say there's more impetus to get to the lead,” McCarthy said. “I would say the way he has placed himself in his races, he can lay close and be effective. I'd just like a clean break this week. That's all.”

Also toting Grade I credentials, Sandman (Tapit) seems to be in the thick of things more times than not, and he chose the opportune time to break through at the black-type level, taking the Oaklawn's GI Arkansas Derby by 2 1/2 lengths Mar. 29. After a seventh in the Kentucky Derby one month later, trainer Mark Casse initially declared the big grey would bypass the second jewel in the Triple Crown.

Good thing the decision wasn't etched in stone.

“When I said I wasn't coming to the Preakness, I wasn't coming to the Preakness,” Casse admitted. “But I think [last] Saturday morning I analyzed everything and said, 'We're going to the Preakness.'”

“I called [co-owners] [D. J. Stables'] Jon Green, [St. Elias'] Monique Delk, [West Point Thoroughbreds'] Terry Finley– they were all supportive.”

Reflecting on the colt's underwhelming Derby performance, Casse explained, “I think he got so out of sorts in the first quarter of a mile and it was downhill from there.”

Making what may seem like a last-minute decision to reroute to the Preakness, Casse knows what it takes to land in the winner's circle come the second Saturday in May, having won the race with War of Will (War Front) in 2019 and finishing a close-up second with Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile) two years earlier.

And Casse's decision to run is underscored when comparing the three colts. However, he is also quick to recognize the differences between them.

“Physically, [Sandman] is like War of Will and Classic Empire, taller, leaner horses. That's what I buy,” he said. “But tactically, this horse isn't like either of those. If you push him right out of the gate, he'll fall apart. You want him to be as close as you can, but you cannot push him to be there. You have to let him take you there, so he is different.”

Any commentary on the Preakness would be incomplete without mentioning Hall of Fame trainers D. Wayne Lukas and Bob Baffert, who between the two of them, have accounted for 15 wins between them.

Lukas tries to equal Baffert's eight-win record with American Promise (Justify), winner of this season's Virginia Derby. Hampered by an errant Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) at the start of the Kentucky Derby, the chestnut flattened out late to be 16th.

“After seeing it several times, I think he actually recovered really well and was in good position at the three-eighths pole, I wish [jockey Nik Juarez] would have waited there and not to try and split those horses [in front of him],” explained Lukas, who won last season's Preakness with Seize the Grey (Arrogate). “The patent ride that I have taught him to do was the one at Colonial. I believe he has that kick, I am not sure he would have been good enough to win–I think the two best horses ran 1-2. But I think at least we weren't going to be were we ended up.”

Despite the forgettable performance, Lukas thinks the colt has been giving all the right signals ever since.

“I actually think he's better this week than he was the week before the Derby,” opined Lukas. “I don't know what that is. But he was sharp after the race and has been sharp ever since. He came back really well. No excuses.”

Last tasting Preakness success with National Treasure in 2023, Baffert offers up a colt–from the same ownership group–who has yet to win black-type. Goal Oriented (Not This Time) earned 'TDN Rising Star' status when scoring at Santa Anita in April and came back to win his latest, going 1 1/16 miles in the Churchill slop May 3.

Goal Oriented | Bill Denver/MJC

With racing's roulette wheel landing Baffert's charge Citizen Bull on the rail in the Derby, it seemed highly unlikely that his runner would once again draw there again two weeks later.

Maybe you should play the lottery, Bob.

“The one-hole isn't as bad here,” said Baffert of his colt's Preakness position. “In Kentucky, the one-hole and the 17 are the kiss of death. Here, it's a shorter field.”

“He has handled everything we have thrown at him,” Baffert added. “He is a big, strong horse. This is a tough group; but the break is going to be so important for him.”

A win by Pay Billy (Improbable) would certainly be among this year's best feel-good stories. A nose shy of being undefeated in four starts this term, the $60,000 OBSAPR purchase won his two latest–Laurel's Private Terms Stakes and Federico Tesio Stakes. The latter race earned him a berth in Saturday's Preakness lineup.

“They wanted a Derby horse. When he didn't have points to get in, we won the Tesio which was a [qualifying race] for the Preakness. So I told them we'll just point for the Preakness, and one of the owners [RKTN Racing] said, “what is the Preakness?” explained trainer Michael Gorham.

While the ownership was looking for a Derby horse when they went to the sales last year, the team is now fully apprised of the importance of the Preakness, not only its importance to the Baltimore community, but to the sport on a whole.

“We've kind of done all the work and usually I like to ease them into a race a couple days before,” Gorham said. “He had a strong gallop [Wednesday] so that should set him up pretty good. Hopefully, he's ready to go.”

This year's Preakness field offers a bit of color, courtesy of European invader Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.), second last time out in the G2 UAE Derby. Adding extra flavor is that the colt is supported by the trainer/jockey combo of the father-and-daughter team, Jamie and Saffie Osborne.

The field is rounded out by GISP 'TDN Rising Star' River Thames (Maclean's Music), SW Clever Again (American Pharoah) and Grade III scorer Gosger (Nyquist).

Saturday's Preakness Day undercard also features the GIII Dinner Party Stakes, GIII Maryland Sprint Stakes and GIII Gallorette Stakes.

Preakness Runner Sandman Helps Usher in New Generation Into Racing

Many will argue that Classic contender Sandman offers one of the best talking points of racing this season. Named for Metallica's song 'Enter Sandman', the grey colt has drawn plenty of media attention to the sport, in no small part because of social media influencer Griffin Johnson, who is among the ownership group-D.J. Stables, West Point Thoroughbreds, St Elias Stables and CJ Stables–that campaigns the $1.2 million OBS March purchase.

According to West Point's Terry Finley, getting a younger generation involved in the sport is crucial at this juncture in our history.

“More and more people that are looking to get into our business are definitely bringing up the fact that they've taken note that our business has improve on the integrity and safety fronts,” said Finley. “I hear it more and more. Before HISA, I didn't hear it at all.”

He continued, “I just say to my brethren, if you look at HISA as the enemy, I believe you out of step with the future of our industry. I know more people are truly tired of putting up with the voices that have not evolved in many years, saying they represent the overall outlook. They don't.”

According to Finley, HISA's involvement–in addition to other initiatives–shows that the industry is moving in the right direction. And younger folks like Johnson are taking notice.

Griffin Johnson and trainer Mark Casse | Jerry Dzierwinski

“He was exposed to horses as a kid while on a working farm, but he wasn't really exposed to the business outside of the Derby, like a lot of young people,” Finley said. “I can tell you, we have talked extensively about integrity and safety. I know he is helping the industry, but I know he is also engaging with people individually. He engages with trainers, track executives, older people and younger people. Really people all across the world. He has already been invited to Australia, Asia and Europe. This is a proto-type person that we want in the business in the future.”

While getting a younger generation into racing has been a talking point for years, getting new owners like Johnson into the game remains important to keeping the momentum rolling.

“Here is a generational talent and mind, we saw the impact he had in the Kentucky Derby. In his world, honesty, integrity and authenticity are key,” Finley explained. “You look at the work the industry has done despite the pushback, in particular HISA, and he fits right in. He's given people a very honest and insightful outlook of what his generation, that are not involved in the business, are starting to formulate. There is no doubt, that safety and integrity, are at the beginning of every conversation with Lisa [Lazarus] and others that have contacted him. It's reflective of how Gen Z is looking at our industry. It's very clear.”

And while much has been done in recent years, Finley points out there is more to be done.

He said, “The more defined we are in improving our safety and integrity, and the quicker we do it, the more we have a shot to bring more and more Gen Z and others to our business going forward.”

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