Epicenter Confirmed for Preakness, Secret Oath ‘Probable’

[Wandering Eyes]

The GI Preakness S. will feature a GI Kentucky Derby rematch between upset victor Rich Strike (Keen Ice) and beaten favorite Epicenter (Not This Time), who appeared home free until passed on the inside in the final strides by the 80-1 longshot.

David Fiske, Winchell Thoroughbreds' longtime bloodstock manager, confirmed after speaking with trainer Steve Asmussen Wednesday morning that Epicenter will run in the May 21 Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown at Pimlico. The GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby winner returned to the track for training earlier in the morning at Churchill Downs, with Asmussen liking what he saw as Epicenter jogged and galloped under Roberto Howell.

Plans call for Epicenter to work an easy half-mile Monday and van to Pimlico Tuesday.

“Steve said he was really pleased with how he went back to the track this morning,” Fiske said. “He said he looked great. I mean, we were going. It was just that [Epicenter] needed to tell us that he wanted to go.”

After watching Epicenter train, Asmussen called bay colt “a remarkable physical [specimen]. He's very strong.”

“I thought he traveled well,” he said of Epicenter's first day back training. “Roberto said he was himself, more of the same. Being himself is a good thing. I thought he took the Derby really well. He laid down like he normally does. He's been nice and relaxed and traveled really good on the racetrack this morning.”

In other Preakness news, D. Wayne Lukas said the ultimate decision remains to be made but that Briland Farm's GI Longines Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath (Arrogate) is “probable” for the Preakness, a race the Hall of Fame trainer has won six times. Lukas, who won his first of four Kentucky Derbys with the filly Winning Colors in 1988, said he discusses the Preakness for Secret Oath every day with owner-breeders Rob and Stacy Mitchell. If they don't go in the Preakness, Lukas said the filly will train up to Saratoga's GI Coaching Club American Oaks July 23. He said Secret Oath will only run in Grade I route races from here on out.

“We agonize over it,” he said at Churchill Downs Wednesday morning. “She's gone back to the track, and she was very sharp out there today. I don't see anything about her that would change our decision right now [regarding the Preakness]. She's training well. She's bright. She's sharp and out there playing.”

Asked if Secret Oath could be considered probable for the Preakness, Lukas said, “Yes. You can say probable. Maybe a probable-plus. If she does that [wins], she's got a chance to be Horse of the Year, when you step out of the box that far.

“Let's put it this way: The Derby horses pretty much all had a hard race. Her race was not hard on her,” he added. “Now, you sit back and say, 'Epicenter is going to be the favorite. Chad Brown is putting that other horse [Wood Memorial runner-up Early Voting] in.' What I always did on those, is I list all the horses going and say, 'Can I beat this one?' Yes. 'Can I beat that one?' Maybe. Go right down the line. But I still don't know who's going.

“Epicenter will be difficult. He's a legitimate favorite. He's a very good horse. Nobody can go over there and think they'll just run by him. He is going to be awfully tough to beat. You are taking a shot if you take him on,” Lukas continued. “The other thing that always factors in is that when they are really good like she is right now, you take advantage of that moment, that time frame. We've got it planned out all the way to the Breeders' Cup, but there's a lot of road until then. Things happen.”

Secret Oath jogged a lap around Churchill Downs and then jogged more in the track's mile chute Wednesday morning under Danielle Rosier.
Other confirmed starters for the Preakness include Early Voting (Gun Runner), Derby fourth-place finisher Simplification (Not This Time), Un Ojo (Laoban), Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) and Creative Minister (Creative Cause), while possible starters include Derby third Zandon (Upstart), Rattle N Roll (Connect) and Shake Em Loose (Shakin It Up).

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