Afleet Alex works at pimlico;ships to belmont saturday

Cash is King Stable's Afleet Alex, winner of the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), breezed five furlongs in 1:01 3/5 at Pimlico Wednesday in preparation for the June 11 Belmont Stakes (gr. I). At this point, the colt is expected to arrive in New York on Saturday. The son of was clocked in fractions of :14, :26 2/5, :38, and :49 4/5 for the half mile. He was caught galloping out six furlongs in 1:14 2/5, pulling up seven panels in 1:29. "He came out of it well and cooled out perfect," trainer Tim Ritchey said. "We scoped him 45 minutes after the work and he scoped clean as can be. Our plan was to start out easy and let him finish strong. It was a maintenance breeze to make sure everything's good with him. After watching that and how he came back, I think we are in good shape." Ritchey had originally planned on vanning to Belmont last Saturday, but decided against it after a suspected case of strangles was discovered. "I'd like to have gotten him to Belmont earlier, because, just like I did here, I wanted to get him over that track as many times as possible," Ritchey said. "But with the suspected strangles there, I was unable to. I didn't want to put his health at risk and would never do that. It's actually been very good at Pimlico, because we're the only ones in the whole barn. It's laid back and he's been able to relax, more so than if he had been at Belmont with all the media attention. "We just have to work with what we've got. Hopefully, I'll be able to ship on Saturday. From what they tell me, it should be OK. I'll train him Saturday morning, get him all done up, then we'll ship there and arrive about 4 or 5 o'clock. They're just waiting for the tests to come back on some horses who were in the same barn as the horse with the suspected case of strangles. From what they're telling me, they're going to put all the horses shipping in for the Belmont in one barn all by themselves, so everybody is away from everybody else. They've been cleaning the barn and disinfecting everything from top to bottom, so I'm sure they'll have everything under control." Afleet Alex and jockey Jeremy Rose narrowly escaped disaster in the Preakness after clipping heels with Scrappy T at the head of the stretch and almost going down. Alex made an amazing recovery, and without missing a beat, went on to score an impressive 4 3/4-length victory. "He'll live in history after that race and he deserves it," said Rose. "That race will be shown for two decades. I don't know how to explain it. There was an unbelievable amount of fear. Obviously we wanted to get come back on our feet and not get run over by anyone. He lost maybe a half-length on Scrappy T and that's it. It was one of those things that you had to be on his back to understand how scary it is." The Belmont at this point looks to be a showdown between Afleet Alex and Kentucky Derby (gr. I) Giacomo, with several others with solid credentials also pointing for the 1 1/2-mile race. "None of them really scare me," Rose said. "All are very nice horses, very accomplished horses. They have to be to run in this race, but as long as Alex is under me, he does the talking. He just does what he does and pretty much silences everybody, especially after the Preakness. Now they are saying he can't go a mile and a half. Do you think it would have mattered in that race? If it were a mile and a half, how many more would we have won by?"

Host of contenders likely to challenge Giacomo, Afleet Alex in Belmont

Host of contenders likely to challenge Giacomo, Afleet Alex in Belmont
The Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 11 at Belmont Park should generate plenty of buzz with the anticipated rematch of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Giacomo and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Afleet Alex. However, racing fans should not expect to see a small field. Several runners could use the Peter Pan Stakes (G2) as a prep race for the Belmont and at least eight other horses are being considered for the final jewel of the 2005 Triple Crown.Saturday's convincing Peter Pan winner Oratory, who took over easily when called upon to win by 4 3/4 lengths, could certainly justify a spot in the Belmont Stakes starting gate. The Peter Pan has consistently produced at least one starter for the Belmont, including five winners since 1975. Lemon Drop Kid in 1999 was the last Peter Pan winner to emerge victorious in the Belmont Stakes. Runner-up Reverberate, third-place finisher Golden Man, and fourth-place finisher Chekhov were also being considered prior to the Peter Pan.According to Andrew Byrnes, the New York Racing Association Stakes coordinator, other horses under consideration for the Belmont are Preakness runner-up Scrappy T, Andromeda's Hero, Southern Africa, Pinpoint, Buzzard's Bay, Sort It Out, A.P. Arrow, and Watchmon.

Funny Cide ready for 2005 debut at Pimlico Special

The Preakness Stakes on Saturday might be drawing the most interest this week at Pimlico, but it could be argued that the best race of the week will be run the day before, when an outstanding field of older horses, headed by Funny Cide, competes in the Grade 1, $500,000 Pimlico Special. Funny Cide won the Preakness here in 2003, two weeks after winning the Kentucky Derby. The Special, run at the Preakness distance of 1 3/16 miles, was supposed to be part of Funny Cide's campaign in 2004, but unseasonably hot weather that week caused trainer Barclay Tagg to keep Funny Cide out of the race. This year, Funny Cide will be making his seasonal debut in the Special. The weather is mild. And Funny Cide is raring to go, having completed his serious preparation with a seven-furlong drill in 1:25.40 on Sunday morning at Belmont Park. "He's doing great," Tagg said Monday from Belmont. "I sure am eager to see him run. He likes it there. And the timing is right for me." Funny Cide got a late start this year. He needed extra time in Florida to recover from a minor injury in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic, then had to work off a few extra pounds he picked up. He was scheduled to run in a New York-bred stakes race last month, but Tagg balked at his hefty weight assignment. As it turns out, the late start works for Tagg, who thinks Funny Cide might have been over the top at the end of his 2003 and 2004 campaigns. "Both times he ran in the Breeders' Cup he had to ship into hot climates," Tagg said. "He ran in the Triple Crown in 2003, and last year he had run nine times before the Breeders' Cup. It's not like he was sleeping. This year, he'll have six races. Other than Friday, he'll run in New York. This year the Breeders' Cup is at Belmont. The weather should be cool. And it'll be in our own back yard. I want to have him a bit fresh for it." Funny Cide drew post 2 in the field of nine for the Special. His rivals include the first three finishers from the Oaklawn Handicap - Grand Reward, Second of June, and Eddington - as well as Pollard's Vision and Badge of Silver, the one-two finishers in the National Jockey Club Handicap at Hawthorne, and Offlee Wild, who comes off a powerful win in the Excelsior Breeders' Cup Handicap at Aqueduct. "It looks like a very competitive spot to me," said Richard Dutrow Jr., who trains Offlee Wild. The Special is the 11th race on a 12-race card. Also Friday, trainer Todd Pletcher will run either Ashado or Colony Band in the Grade 3, $150,000 Pimlico Distaff at 1 1/16 miles for older fillies and mares. The other will run in the Shuvee Handicap at Belmont Park on Saturday. Runway Model, who was sixth in the Kentucky Oaks, will look to rebound in the Grade 2, $200,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, which drew a moderate field of six 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/8 miles. The wickedly fast Maddalena is the 9-5 morning-line favorite in the Grade 3, $100,000 Miss Preakness Stakes for 3-year-old fillies going six furlongs. Nicole's Dream, who won the Mamzelle Stakes at Churchill Downs, meets Elusive Diva in the $75,000 The Very One Stakes at five furlongs on turf for older fillies and mares.

Horse Racing - This Week In Harness Racing History - April 11-17

April 11, 1986 - Bree's Brief, driven by John Campbell, wins the Overbid final in 1:56.1 at The Meadowlands in New Jersey.April 12, 1933 - Jack 'The Ripper' Bailey, the all-time leading driver at Vernon Downs in New York, is born in Winston Salem, North Carolina. He wins more than 3,300 career races.April 14, 1990 - Mark Johnathan, driven by Mike Lachance, wins the Berry's Creek in 1:54 at The Meadowlands.April 14, 1991 - Ed Huntbach becomes the sixth driver in history to win eight races on a single program, accomplishing the feat at Kingston Park Raceway in Ontario.April 15, 1997 - Dave Palone wins his 5,000th race, driving Know How to victory at The Meadows in Pennsylvania.April 16, 1994 - Arrive At Five, driven by John Campbell, wins the Freehold Cup Invitational in 1:52.3 at Freehold Raceway in New Jersey.April 17, 1988 - Mack Lobell wins the Coors Silver Bullet Invitational Trot in 1:57.3 at Raceway Park in Ohio.

Prado And Flores Pick Up Preakness Mounts

Next Saturday’s Preakness Stakes continues to take shape as the connections of two contenders have confirmed riders for the middle jewel of the Visa Triple Crown. Eleven starters are confirmed and a full field of 14 is expected at historic Pimlico Race Course on May 21. Edgar Prado, who dominated the Maryland riding circuit during the 1990’s, has been named to ride Louisiana Derby winner High Limit, who was last in last Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. Meanwhile, trainer Warren Stute reported that David Flores will have his first Preakness mount aboard Greeley’s Galaxy, who was 11th in the “Run for the Roses”. Regular rider Kent Desormeaux has a prior commitment in Japan. “He’ll have his final workout tomorrow at Churchill Downs,” said Stute, who at 83 will be the oldest trainer to saddle a Preakness starter since Max Hirsch, then 87, sent out 1968 runner-up Out of the Way. “We’re sending him five furlongs – just a maintenance move to keep him fit. My son [Glen Stute] will be at Pimlico on Wednesday to receive the horse.” Greeley’s Galaxy and High Limit are among a group of eight potential runners still in Kentucky. Two Tex Sutton flights are Baltimore bound Wednesday morning. Trainer Nick Zito still lists three of his five Kentucky Derby starters among the possible starters in the 130th Preakness. High Fly (10th), Noble Causeway (14th) and Sun King (15th) could be part of the nine horse contingent the affable New Yorker plans to shuttle to Baltimore next week. A decision is expected by Monday. If D. Wayne Lukas decides to start Going Wild, who was 18th last Saturday, as many as 10 of the 20 starters from last week’s Kentucky Derby are expected back two weeks later in the middle jewel, matching the number of Derby runners who ran back in 1999. Also still in Louisville are Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo and Wilko. “Everything’s going smoothly,” said Craig Dollase, who conditions Wilko, the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner. “At this point, he may or may not need a breeze. We’ll finalize Wilko’s training plans over the next couple days.” Just as he did yesterday, Preakness favorite Afleet Alex went out on the Pimlico track just after 6 a.m. The Northern Afleet colt jogged a mile and a half, and then galloped another mile and half with exercise rider Salamon Diego. Trainer Tim Ritchey remains upbeat about “Alex’s” chances. “The shortened distance will help him,” said Ritchey. “The tight turns will be to his advantage because he is a very agile horse. We shouldn’t have as much traffic as the Derby because of the field size. I do not anticipate the pace being like it was in the Derby. Everybody was going way too fast early and I think a lot of the riders of the horses that run back might slow it down a little bit. I would think we would be a little closer, a little more of a stalking position and hopefully from the three-eighths pole to the wire he’ll make that kick he made in the Arkansas Derby and we should be in good shape.” Ritchey has 40 horses in training at Delaware Park but just a pony and the Suave Prospect gelding Always Noble at Old Hilltop. Always Noble will run in the Grade III $200,000 Emirates Airline Maryland Breeders' Cup on the Preakness undercard. “As a trainer you have to look forward to these challenges,” added Ritchey. “You want to have horses like this that can run in these types of races. In your career, until you can win a classic, you can win a lot of races and do a lot of things, but this really is the pinnacle.” Ritchey indicated Afleet Alex will be sent out to train twice on Saturday. The Pimlico track will close for training at 8:30 a.m. because the Preakness 5-K will start and end on the racetrack. Another trainer who has reason to be upbeat is Robbie Bailes, who conditions Withers Stakes winner Scrappy T, a new shooter for the Preakness. Bailes said, “He came out of his work super.” Scrappy T worked 4 furlongs in :48.4 on Wednesday at Delaware Park. Bailes plans on shipping his charge to Old Hilltop on Monday. “He’ll probably stretch his legs at Pimlico Wednesday morning,” added Bailes. King Leatherbury, the legendary Maryland trainer, has Tesio Stakes winner Malibu Moonshine poised to step onto the Triple Crown trail. Leatherbury said, “He went very nicely this morning. He doesn’t need much (work). Malibu Moonshine will breeze three furlongs tomorrow. It may end up being a half-mile work, by the time he pulls up.” Regular rider Steve Hamilton will be up for the breeze. Meanwhile in New York Galloping Grocer, the New York-bred gelding, worked this morning at Belmont Park. The son of A.P. Jet went 59.2 under jockey Joe Bravo. The most recent word on the status of Derby runner-up Closing Argument came from trainer Kiaran McLaughlin Thursday in a teleconference call sponsored by the NTRA. McLaughlin said, “We galloped in the last two days here at Belmont Park and he will continue to train here. I’ll watch the weather there and here and make a decision when to ship him. But most likely, ideally we would work him just an easy half a mile on Monday and probably ship Wednesday or Thursday. But he’s fit and doesn’t require a lot of work.” The third New York-based contender, supplemental entry Golden Man, would need a defection to get into the field. Of the 15 contenders for the Preakness, the Richard Dutrow trainee is last. If he does make it into the field, the Preakness purse swells to $1.1 million. Hal’s Image will be shipped from his South Florida base on Tuesday.

Preakness Contenders Put In Final Works

A week out from the start of the 130th Preakness Stakes, the cast of players remains scattered from coast to coast. The $1 million Grade I event is the headline race of a terrific weekend of racing. Fourteen added money races are spread out over a two-day period, including 10 graded races.
Afleet Alex, the only contender at Pimlico, went out onto the main track twice this morning. The son of Northern Afleet jogged two miles just before 6 a.m. and after cooling out and eating breakfast, went back out just after 8 a.m. He jogged a mile, turned around, galloped a mile and a half and jogged back another half-mile with exercise rider Salamon Diego. Trainer Tim Ritchey plans to send “Alex” out once on Sunday and Tuesday, twice on Monday and Wednesday and will also have him visit the starting gate prior to the Preakness.
“He will not breeze before the Preakness. I want to keep him just a little sharper,” said Ritchey. “You have to remain focused in the mornings, whether you are at the Breeders’ Cup, the Derby or here at the Preakness. In the afternoons you can step back and consider where you are and what you’ve achieved and enjoy the whole experience. He’s the star of our show and we’re all supporting actors and have to do our part in order to have him shine.”
Much of the focus on Team Ritchey prior to the Kentucky Derby was on the lack of big race experience by jockey Jeremy Rose, the 2001 Eclipse Award winning apprentice. The 26-year old answered the critics with a flawless ride in the “Run for the Roses”. Rose has already felt the pressure of Preakness Day, having ridden on Maryland’s signature day three times.
“I think his ride in the Derby answers all questions,” added Ritchey. “There wasn’t a jock living today that could have ridden a better race.”
The only other Preakness contender prepping in Maryland is new shooter Malibu Moonshine. The Malibu Moon gelding worked three furlongs at Laurel Park this morning in 36 2/5 and galloped out a half-mile. The King Leatherbury trainee won the Miracle Wood, Private Terms and Tesio Stakes this spring.
“He was nice and relaxed. It was a fluent work,” said Steve Hamilton, who worked Malibu Moonshine and who will be back aboard on Saturday. “I’m excited. The Preakness is like the Super Bowl. It is every rider’s dream to have a Triple Crown mount. I don’t think he’ll have any problem getting the distance and he’s won over the course. I think he has a shot.”
Greeley’s Galaxy remains in Kentucky and worked in the slop at Churchill this morning. His time was the fastest on the work tab, a bullet 5 furlongs in 1:00.20.
“That’s good. Just what I wanted. It’s been a week since the Derby and he needed the exercise,” said trainer Warren Stute.
Stute spoke about training horses and his outlook on life.
“I’ll never retire. Charlie Whittingham was the same way. At the racetrack, something new happens every day. You never get bored. In my case, I’m lucky to have such good owners. Owners make the difference.
“One owner approached me and said he was looking for a trainer with experience. I told him ‘You want a guy with experience, I’m your man.’” Stute is 83 years old. “Every morning I wake up at 4 a.m. I try to turn the alarm clock off quickly so I don’t wake up my wife. For the last 40 years, I’ve had breakfast with my friend (fellow trainer) Henry Moreno. I drink a lot of coffee.”
Trainer Barry Rose reported from Florida on the status of Unbridled Stakes winner Hal’s Image. Rose said, “Hal’s Image is doing very well. He just worked a bullet 5 furlongs in :59.80 and came back great.” Regular rider, Carlos Olivero, was aboard for the work. “He’s scheduled to arrive via van early Wednesday morning.”
Derby runner-up Closing Argument is training in New York. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said, “He continues to do very well. Today we galloped him a mile and jogged him 1-3/8 miles. He might have an easy work on Monday, depending on the weather situation.
“Despite his speed-oriented blood lines, he’s not built like a sprinter. He’s medium sized and quite well balanced. From day one he’s been a straightforward, classy horse.”
Nick Zito reports High Fly (10th) , Noble Causeway (14th) and Sun King (15th) will work at Churchill Downs Monday before a decision will be made on who will get on the Tex Sutton charter next Wednesday for a date in the middle jewel. Zito’s lone Preakness victory came in 1996 when Louis Quatorze bounced back from a 16th place in the Derby for a victory the Preakness, in record time.
“I think High Fly is a hard trying horse,” said Jerry Bailey, who will ride High Fly if he runs. “The way the Preakness usually plays out-including the distance-it fits better for him than the Derby. I don’t know if he’s a true mile and a quarter horse.”
Rafael Bejarano, who was aboard Sir Shackleton in last year’s Preakness, will ride Golden Man, provided that horse gets into the race.

Preakness not kind to newcomers

Now that you've recovered from the shock of Giacomo winning the Kentucky Derby at 50-1, as well as being a Daley Longshot Special, it's time to focus on the 130th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore next Saturday. While you'll be hearing much about the chances of the new shooters, those who skipped the Derby awaiting the Preakness, one fact is unmistakably clear: The Preakness winner will come from the Kentucky Derby. Other than Red Bullet's tally in 2000, in 18 of the last 19 years a horse who raced in the Derby won the Preakness Stakes. Some of them have been generous prices, such as Risen Star (1988, 6-1), Hansel (1991, 9-1), Louis Quatorze (1996, 8-1) and Charismatic (1999, 8-1). Afleet Alex, third in the Derby, will most likely be the Preakness favorite next week, but Giacomo will be disrespected as Charismatic was in 1999, and others could wake up at more than reasonable odds, especially High Fly, Greeley's Galaxy or Going Wild. Regarding the Derby angle in the Preakness, Jim Mazur, in his Triple Crown Handicapper 2005, points out that in the past 19 years, 194 horses have competed in the Preakness, with approximately 55 percent of those starters coming from the Derby. According to Mazur, about 10 winners would be expected out of the Derby sample. In reality, as stated above, 18 winners of the Preakness emerged, or 172 percent more than expected. In fact, if you extend the statistics to the last 36 Preaknesses, 32 have been won by horses exiting the Kentucky Derby. That's a powerful stat. It's pretty much a given, because of Giacomo's extreme wakeup, the low Beyer Derby figure of 100, and the way the Kentucky Derby was run (fast early-slow late), that the “Now” horses, newcomers A.P. Arrow, Golden Man, Hal's Image, Malibu Moonshine and Scrappy T. will receive a disproportionate amount of attention in the coming seven days, even at the betting windows. Though none will win, a horse like King Leatherbury's Malibu Moonshine could sneak into the exotics. One or more may help make your superfecta, though not to the tune of $634,689 as in the Derby. Here are some capsule comments on the newcomers. Keep in mind that the average winning Beyer figure for the Preakness Stakes is 106. A.P. Arrow -- Still a maiden after two starts, including a ninth in the Santa Anita Derby. Top Beyer figure of 86. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas. Would need to show huge improvement. Golden Man -- Claimed by Richard Dutrow Jr. for owners Sandy Goldfarb, Michael Dubb, and Ira Davis for $60,000 on Jan. 23 at Gulfstream Park. They also own Sis City, who lost the Kentucky Oaks at 3-5 odds. Will be supplemented to the Preakness for $100,000. Broke his maiden in a $12,500 claiming race in December at Calder and is 4-11 lifetime, though he defeated Derby entrant Coin Silver at Gulfstream in April. Jockey Edgar Prado is high on the horse but may ride Sun King if entered by Zito. Dutrow is from Maryland originally. Hal's Image -- From the same barn and family who brought you Hal's Hope several years ago. Has won only two of 16 starts but did win the $100,000 Unbridled Stakes at Calder in his last out. Has yet to finish ahead of such noted contemporaries as B.B. Best, Favre, Closing Argument, Sun King, Survivalist, High Fly, or Magna Graduate. Top Beyer figure of 85. Look elsewhere. Malibu Moonshine -- Is 6 for 10 lifetime for noted Maryland trainer, King Leatherbury. Won the Tesio Stakes over the track on April 23, but the Beyer figure of 82 is low. Still, raced competitively in the Battaglia at Turfway Park with Magna Graduate and Pavo, two nice horses. Is at home and jockey Steve Hamilton knows the track. Would not be a complete surprise, especially in the exotic wagers. Scrappy T -- Won the Withers (Gr. 3) Stakes at Aqueduct last out over Park Avenue Ball, posting a nice Beyer figure of 102 and continues to train well. Has a good deal of natural speed and trainer Robbie Bailes is interested to see if the son of Fit to Fight can carry that speed a distance. Still, could not keep up with Bellamy Road in the Wood. Could be one of those “wise guy” horses who take a lot of money and inflate the price on the true winner. Jockey Ramon Dominguez, who rode High Limit in the Derby, will get the mount. After Dominguez' pre-Derby comments about High Limit's lack of seasoning, he and trainer Bobby Frankel are most assuredly better off parting company.