Ria Antonia Nominated to Preakness

Christopher Dunn and Loooch Racing Stable’s Ria Antonia (Rockport Harbor), winner of the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies via DQ, was added to the list of GI Preakness S. candidates yesterday. 
    Under the care of trainer Jeremiah Englehart at the time of her Breeders’ Cup win, the bay was moved to the barn of Hall of Famer Bob Baffert following a fourth to GI Kentucky Oaks victress Untapable (Tapit), while making her sophomore bow in the Fair Grounds’ GIII Rachel Alexandra S. 
Feb. 22. After finishing second in her first start for Baffert in the GI Santa Anita Oaks Apr. 5, Ria Antonia was sixth in the Kentucky Oaks and was subsequently transferred to conditioner Tom Amoss.
    “She trained this morning with us for the first time,” said Amoss. “She is going to have a light breeze Monday or Tuesday after which Mr. [Ron] Paolucci [of Loooch Racing Stables] and I will discuss the Preakness.” 
    If Ria Antonia contests the Preakness, she would attempt to become the sixth filly to capture the Triple Crown’s middle jewel. Champion Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d’Oro) was the last filly to do it in 2009 after a 20-length romp in the Oaks.