Trainer: Derby champ in fine shape
Post-race energy, disposition leave Pletcher ‘amazed’
Two days after Always Dreaming ’s victory in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, trainer Todd Pletcher remained impressed with the horse’s progress since the race.
“So far I’ve been amazed at how well he came out of the race,” Pletcher said Monday morning before taking a flight to New York. “His energy level is great. He walked the shedrow with a purpose this morning, ate all his dinner last night. Really, really pleased with the way he’s come out of it so far.”
Always Dreaming was scheduled to leave Churchill Downs early Tuesday for a flight to Baltimore. He was to arrive at Pimlico in the morning to begin preparations for the May 20 Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown.
At least four others who ran in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby are considered possible for the Preakness.
Trainer Steve Asmussen had said that Derby runner-up Lookin At Lee likely would be heading to the Preakness, and he added Hence to the list Monday. Hence, winner of the Sunland Derby, finished 11th in the Kentucky Derby.
“He was pretty overwhelmed, I think, just by the kickback and stuff,” Asmussen said. “He never leveled off, definitely came out of it feeling good. So I don’t think he ran hard. Off a hard race, spacing is required. But off an easy one, it’s more like a work.”
Trainer Mark Casse said Classic Empire’s right eye was 100% better and he was planning to enter the horse in the Preakness. Classic Empire finished fourth in the Derby after a rough start in which he was bumped out of the gate.
“Honestly, I think our horse probably got more respect out of that performance (from) anyone who really watched the race, because he overcame a lot just to finish fourth,” Casse said. “I’m proud of him and look forward to trying Always Dreaming again.”
Gunnevera trainer Antonio Sano said he was 50-50 on entering his seventh-place Derby finisher in the Preakness, with the other option to train up to the June 10 Belmont Stakes.
New shooters for the Preakness Stakes include Lexington winner Senior Investment, Illinois Derby winner Multiplier, Santa Anita third-place finisher Royal Mo, Wood Memorial thirdplace finisher Cloud Computing, Arkansas Derby runner-up Conquest Mo Money and 2000 Guineas fourth-place finisher Lancaster Bomber.
Multiplier (4 furlongs, 50.60 seconds) and Senior Investment (5 furlongs, 1:00.40) posted breezes at Keeneland on Monday.
Pletcher said Monday that he didn’t plan to enter Malagacy in the Preakness. Malagacy finished fifth in the Arkansas Derby in his most recent race.