Preakness Stakes

GI Preakness Stakes winner Journalism (Curlin) departed the Pimlico backstretch Monday morning on a van bound for Saratoga, where he will train towards a possible appearance in the third and final leg of the Triple Crown, the GI Belmont Stakes over a mile and a quarter on Saturday, June 7. Trainer Michael McCarthy revealed the news when a guest on At The Races With Steve Byk on satellite radio Monday morning. One day after winning the Preakness in breathtaking style, part-owner Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and McCarthy indicated...

Baltimore, MD-Two weeks ago in the Kentucky Derby, Journalism (Curlin) endured a difficult trip and had to settle for second behind Sovereignty (Into Mischief). The colt's connections--Eclipse Thoroughbreds, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Bob LaPenta, Elayne Stables, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith and trainer Michael McCarthy--waited for more than a week to make the decision to pull the trigger on a start in the GI Preakness Stakes. Heading down the Pimlico stretch Saturday evening, it appeared that the GI Santa Anita Derby winner and jockey Umberto Risploi...

It will be a busy day at the GI Preakness S. for the West Point Thoroughbreds team as they have four horses entered on the day at Pimlico. But none is more important than Sandman (Tapit), a horse they co-own along with DJ Stable, St. Elias Stable and CJ Stables. He finished seventh in the GI Kentucky Derby, but his owners have decided to give him a chance to make amends. Despite there being only being two weeks between the first two legs of the Triple Crown, Sandman will run...

West Point Thoroughbreds has four horses entered this weekend at Pimlico, including Preakness contender Sandman. West Point Founder and President Terry Finley joined the this week's show.

Having been committed to the race just 24 hours earlier and in the absence of GI Kentucky Derby hero Sovereignty (Into Mischief), Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith's Derby runner-up Journalism (Curlin) was made the 8-5 favorite on Dan Illman's morning line for Saturday's 150th running of the $2-million GI Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. He was assigned post position two during Monday's draw at the Guiness Open Gate Brewery. The...

Journalism (Curlin), runner-up in the GI Kentucky Derby, will contest the GI Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Saturday, co-owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners confirmed in a tweet Sunday night. "Journalism has been grand since the Kentucky Derby and [trainer] Michael McCarthy has green-lighted him to head to Pimlico Race Course for the 150th Preakness Stakes," the tweet read. "We look forward to showcasing Journalism's talents in Baltimore in such a coveted American Classic with Umberto Rispoli set to ride." After watching Journalism train Sunday morning at Churchill Downs, McCarthy said, "I thought...

Goal Oriented (Not This Time) tuned up for his expected stakes debut in the GI Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course next Saturday with a four-furlong drill in :47.60 (4/35) at Churchill Downs Sunday. Churchill clockers caught the colt going the first quarter of a mile in :23 3/5 and galloping out five-eighths of a mile in 1:01 1/5 with exercise rider Eric Garcia in the saddle. "He went a half really easily," said trainer Bob Baffert, who will be looking to extend his record of eight Preakness victories. "He...

After reading "Enough Already. It's Time to Fix the Triple Crown" by Bill Finley, I must say I find myself not only disappointed by Mr. Finley's attitude, but also shocked by how he misconstrues and ignores the facts. In 2019, Bill Mott was planning to run Country House in the Preakness. Mott actually said, "We're leaning toward the Preakness, since he is the Derby winner and we don't want to pooh-pooh the Triple Crown. We want to support that." But two days later, Country House was coughing, placed on antibiotics,...

Tom Law, a two-time Eclipse Award-winning turf writer and managing editor of ST Publishing--which produces The Saratoga Special and Thisishorseracing.com--will receive the 'Old Hilltop Award' for covering Thoroughbred racing with excellence and distinction during the annual Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico Race Course on Thursday, May 15. A native and current resident of Saratoga Springs, New York, Law began covering racing at The Saratogian in 1994 and is a past president of the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB). He has also been recognized with the Red Smith Kentucky Derby Writing...

It was hardly a surprise when Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott announced Tuesday that GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) would not be running in the GI Preakness Stakes and would instead point for the GI Belmont Stakes. No matter how prestigious the race is, no matter how special the Triple Crown has historically been, the modern-day trainer cringes at the thought of running their horses back in two weeks. They just don't want to do it. Bill Mott, as meticulous and patient as he is, certainly is...

Godolphin's GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) will bypass the May 17 GI Preakness Stakes, according to a release from Pimlico Race Course Tuesday afternoon. "We received a call today from trainer Bill Mott that Sovereignty will not be competing in the Preakness," Mike Rogers, executive vice president of 1/ST which operates Pimlico, said in the statement. "Bill informed us they would point toward the GI Belmont Stakes. We extend our congratulations to the connections of Sovereignty and respect their decision. We continue to see the excitement building toward...

Spendthrift Farm will sponsor the upcoming Sir Barton Stakes, presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. The farm will also make a donation of $50,000 to the TAA during a check presentation following the running of the race on the May 17 Preakness Stakes undercard at Pimlico Race Course. "We are honored to partner with Spendthrift Farm for this year's Sir Barton Stakes," said Stacie Clark Rogers, Operations Consultant, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. "Their commitment to the welfare of Thoroughbreds, both during and after their racing careers is inspiring, and we are deeply...