Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Local rider Russell will ride Excession
Sheldon Russell had been out of sight and out of mind since mid-July, so he was bowled over when he learned that Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen will give him a leg up on longshot Excession when the 145th Preakness is run at Pimlico in Baltimore.
“Very surprised,” said Russell. “Pleasantly so.”
This will be the first time in eight years and just the third time overall that Russell has ridden in a Triple Crown event, following Concealed Identity (10th in the 2011 Preakness) and Done Talking (14th in the 2012 Kentucky Derby). Until returning with one mount Thursday on the opening card of the six-day Pimlico meet, Russell had been sidelined by a wrist injury suffered in a July 16 gate mishap at Delaware Park.
Strict coronavirus-related protocols to which jockeys and all incoming travelers are being subjected for the Preakness, to be run next Saturday (Oct. 3), was a factor in Asmussen selecting a local rider and not having to deal further with procedural hassles. Russell, with a multitude of riding titles and stakes wins at Maryland tracks, was a logical choice.
“It makes me feel really good,” said Russell, 33. “Obviously, these are the kinds of races we dream of riding in. Maybe my third time in a classic race will be a charm, that sort of thing.”
Excession is owned by Calumet Farm, the all-time leading owner in Preakness history with eight wins. Since being acquired by Brad Kelley, Calumet has had one Preakness win (Oxbow, 2013, 15-1) and another second-place finish (Everfast, 2019, 29-1).
Asmussen concedes that Excession enters at a disadvantage, having last raced
March 14 when second at 82-1 to the since-retired Nadal in the Rebel at Oaklawn Park. A Union Rags colt, Excession underwent surgery in the interim to remove what Asmussen termed “an extremely minor” knee chip, and on Monday at Churchill Downs he is scheduled to have his seventh workout since mid-August. Excession is among a load of horses that includes Kentucky Derby winner Authentic booked on a Tuesday equine charter from Louisville to Baltimore.
“Hopefully, I’ll be able to get some run out of him and he shows up,” said Russell.
Asmussen, who won the Preakness in 2007 with Curlin and in 2009 with Rachel Alexandra, has two other starters this year in Max Player (Paco Lopez) and Pneumatic (Joe Bravo).
As of Friday, nine 3-yearolds were confirmed for the $1 million Preakness. Besides the Asmussen trio, they are Art Collector, Authentic, Mr. Big News, Thousand Words, and two supplementary entries, Jesus’ Team and Liveyourbeastlife.
Four more were considered possible for the 1 3/16-mile race, with impending workouts over the weekend helping to determine their status: Swiss Skydiver, Mystic Guide, and the Todd Pletcher pair of Dr Post and Happy Saver.
Entries will be drawn Monday at noon Eastern.
At Churchill, Mr. Big News had his final pre-race breeze before dawn Friday, going an easy half-mile in 50.40 seconds over a fast track. The Giant’s Causeway colt will be looking to prove his third-place finish in the Derby at 46-1 was no fluke.
“He left the pole really strong, which is how he was working before the Derby,” said trainer Bret Calhoun. “He’s fit after just running in the Derby, and it’s been very promising how strong he’s been acting in his training since then.”
The Preakness, normally run on the third Saturday in May, is the final leg of the Triple Crown in this topsy-turvy 2020, following the June 20 Belmont Stakes won by Tiz the Law and the Sept. 5 Derby. As with those other races, no spectators are being allowed at the track because of the ongoing global pandemic.