Preakness Notes: Winchell Hoping For Better Start From Midnight Bourbon Sponsored by:
Midnight Bourbon stretching his legs at Pimlico
Ron Winchell, who campaigns Louisiana Derby (G2) runner-up Midnight Bourbon in the name of his family s Winchell Thoroughbreds, said he s trying to keep his enthusiasm in check about their chances in Saturday s 146th Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico.
“It s hard not to be overly optimistic,” Winchell, the Las Vegas entrepreneur and co-owner of Kentucky Downs as well as an internationally prominent owner and breeder, said by phone. “He s doing great. The Derby didn t seem to take a lot out of him.”
Stablemates Bye Bye Melvin, English Bee Headline Competitive Field In Dinner Party Sponsored by:
Calumet Farm s English Bee (inside) wins the Virginia Derby over Jais’s Solitude for trainer H. Graham Motion under jockey Jorge Vargas Jr.
Grade 3-winning stablemates Bye Bye Melvin and English Bee will take on the imposing pair of Kuramata and Grade 1-placed Sacred Life as well as Grade 2 winner Somelikeithotbrown in a competitive edition of Saturday s $250,000 Dinner Party (G2) at Pimlico Race Course.
The 120th running of the 1 1/16-mile Dinner Party for 3-year-olds and up on the grass is part of a spectacular 14-race program featuring 10 stakes, six graded, worth $2.25 million in purses headlined by the 146th renewal of the Preakness Stakes (G1), Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown.
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Jaxon Traveler winning the Maryland Juvenile Futurity
West Point Thoroughbreds and Marvin Delfiner s speedy sophomore Jaxon Traveler, a head shy of being undefeated through five starts that include a pair of stakes victories, returns to Maryland seeking his first graded score in Saturday s $200,000 Chick Lang (G3) at Pimlico Race Course.
The 46th running of the six-furlong Chick Lang and 23rd renewal of the 1 1/16-mile Sir Barton, both for 3-year-olds, are among 10 stakes, six graded, worth $2.25 million in purses on a spectacular 14-race program headlined by the 146th renewal of the Preakness Stakes (G1), Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown.
Feel Glorious Chasing Graded Status In Gallorette Sponsored by:
Feel Glorious wins the Winter Memories Stakes
Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Tango Uniform Racing s Feel Glorious, a four-time stakes winner of nearly $500,000 in 21 career races, continues the chase for an elusive graded victory in Saturday s $150,000 Gallorette (G3) at Pimlico Race Course.
The 70th running of the 1 1/16-mile Gallorette for fillies and mares 3 and up on the grass is among 10 stakes, six graded, worth $2.25 million in purses on a spectacular 14-race program headlined by the 146th renewal of the Preakness Stakes (G1), Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown.
Other graded-stakes on the card are the $250,000 Dinner Party (G2) for 3-year-olds and up on the turf; $200,000 Chick Lang (G3) for 3-year-olds and $150,000 Maryland Sprint (G3) for 3-year-olds and up, both going six furlongs; and $100,000 UAE President Cup (G1) for Arabian horses.
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D. Wayne Lukas and pony accompany the trainer s Preakness contender, Ram, at Pimlico on Tuesday
Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas was back in very familiar territory Tuesday morning, sitting outside the Preakness Stakes Barn. After discussing his Preakness candidate Ram, who went to the track around 6:30 a.m., Lukas, 85, reminisced a bit about his 40-plus years of competing in the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown at Pimlico Race Course.
Christina Baker and William Mack s Ram will be Lukas record 45th starter in the Preakness, marking the 30th time his trainer has had at least one runner. Lukas won with his very first Preakness starter, Codex in 1980, and has been to the winner s circle five other times, most recently with Oxbow in 2013.