New jockey lifts Ride On Curlin

BALTIMORE — Unsatisfied with the rides of some of Ride On Curlin’s former jockeys, trainer Billy Gowan said he wanted his colt to get a fighting chance in the Preakness yesterday.

Jockey Jose Rosario gave him just that, recovering from a slow start to make his move in the stretch drive before finishing second, 11⁄ lengths

2 behind California Chrome.

“I thought it was awesome,” Gowan said. “California Chrome ran a great race and he’s a great horse. My horse ran a great race. He was in a good spot down the back. Joel said he got shut off for a second, but he came running in the stretch and gave me a heck of a thrill.”

It was a vast improvement from Ride On Curlin’s 11th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby. Jockey Calvin Borel made an aggressive horizontal move from an outside post position to the rail and could not escape traffic until it was too late. But the colt’s seventhplace finish obscured his speed in the late stages of the race.

Gowan came away convinced his horse could do better given a cleaner trip, and he made the move from Borel to Rosario.

Gowan said he plans to send Ride On Curlin to the Belmont on June 7, provided the colt comes out of the Preakness in good shape.

Official wants change in Triple Crown schedule

Tom Chuckas, president and CEO of the Maryland Jockey Club, said he wants Triple Crown races to be scheduled a month apart.

Chuckas would like to see the Derby held on the first Saturday in May, the Preakness on the first Saturday of June and the Belmont on the first Saturday of July. The current schedule calls for a twoweek gap between the Derby and Preakness, followed by a three-week break before the Belmont.

“I’m not anti-tradition, but the game has changed,” Chuckas said. “The breeding has changed and, more importantly, the trainers’ philosophy has changed.”

Only three Derby horses came to the Preakness this year, and only 10 of a maximum 14 entrants competed.