Thursday’s Preakness Trackside Report: Worth the Wait

By Steve Sherack

With the top three finishers from the GI Kentucky Derby finally arriving at Pimlico Wednesday afternoon, it’s starting to feel much more like GI Preakness S. week. 

The game Derby runner-up Firing Line (Line of David) and longshots Mr. Z (Malibu Moon) and Tale of Verve (Tale of Ekati) were up and at ‘em early on a cool and comfortable morning two days out from the main event. 

The well-put together Tale of Verve, 30-1 on the morning-line after earning his diploma at the Preakness distance in Lexington last out Apr. 23, enjoyed some grazing time after getting cleaned up back by the stakes barn following his 1 1/2-mile gallop at 6:30 a.m. Trainer Dallas Stewart kept a close eye on the Charles Fipke homebred throughout the morning and gave him a nice pat on the forehead for a job well done. Mr. Z, who “never got a chance to run in the Derby,” per Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, galloped the same distance. 

Firing Line, meanwhile, returned to the backside along with trainer Simon Callaghan and a host of media in pursuit at roughly 7:25 a.m. Owner Arnold Zetcher, sporting a black Firing Line hat, was all smiles while chatting with the press as the runaway GIII Sunland Derby winner received a bath. A very confident Gary Stevens was on hand on the backstretch as well. Firing Line only went out for light exercise Thursday, jogging with a pony. 

Bob Baffert, along with Bernie Schiappa of Game on Dude fame, began their walk to the apron at 8:20 a.m. as it remained fairly quiet by the stakes barn for this late in the week. The mighty Dortmund (Big Brown), a solid, but somewhat disappointing Derby third considering his prior credentials, was the first of the Baffert duo to exit the barn. The Derby winner American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) came out moments later and was quickly met by Baffert chief assistant Jimmy Barnes aboard the stable pony. 

The pair were both on their best behavior while waiting by the gap–think they’re used to all of the attention by now?–as the renovation break began to wind down. Exercise rider Dana Barnes gave Dortmund’s blue shadow roll a slight adjustment while champion American Pharoah stood patiently with his ears forward waiting for a command from Jorgie Alvarez. Both bounced on and off the track with extremely good energy and couldn’t have been more visually impressive while going over the surface for the first time. The Zayat homebred and Kaleem Shah colorbearer both seem to be thriving since their respective efforts on the First Saturday in May. Now that’s a scary thought for the competition. 

John Oxley’s Danzig Moon (Malibu Moon) was also out after the renovation break. The striking bay, a decent fifth in the Derby, has also seemed to bounce out of the race in fine form, turning in a powerful 1 1/2-mile gallop. Nothing new there if you watched the GI Blue Grass S. runner-up train leading up to the Run for the Roses. 

With a good crowd of fans in attendance by the grandstand for the popular Sunrise at Old Hilltop tour, a youngster was pretty fired up after getting a closer look at the Preakness contenders. “Danzig Moon! I saw Danzig Moon,” he repeatedly shouted to his mother. It really doesn’t get much better than that. 

Baffert, clearly delighted with what he’s been seeing with his big two since hoisting his fourth Kentucky Derby trophy, held a brief press conference adjacent the stakes barn as the morning activity began to wind down. 

“I was really happy with the way they went over it,” Baffert said. “They looked healthy and bright, in top condition. There is no regressing there. It looks like they are coming up to another big race.” 

With all eight of the Preakness entrants now on the grounds–Divining Rod (Tapit) and Bodhisattva (Student Council) were vanned over from Fair Hill and Laurel Thursday morning–the stage is set. 

“Everybody is having a good time and enjoying Baltimore,” Baffert concluded. “Everybody is in the same barn. It’s a lot of fun. There is security and all that, but everybody really gets to see the horses. It’s a big barn with plenty of room.”