Godolphin’s First Mission , last month’s winner of the Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland, completed his major work for the May 20 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course with a strong five-furlong move in :59 1/5 May 13 at Churchill Downs.
Trained by Brad Cox, First Mission burst on the scene in mid-March at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots where he broke his maiden at second asking by 6 3/4 lengths under jockey Corey Lanerie. In the Lexington, First Mission edged clear of Arabian Lion in the late stages to win by a half-length under jockey Luis Saez. Arabian Lion is to run in the Sir Barton Stakes on the Preakness Day undercard.
“He’s lightly raced but I liked what I saw of him all winter and into the Lexington,” Cox said of First Mission. “He bounced out of it in good shape and he’s got a lot of talent. I’m looking forward to giving him a swing at a grade 1.
“He came into our barn last spring and just needed some extra time to develop. It was nothing major why we gave him time off. We just thought he was a later developing horse. Ever since we brought him back he’s impressed us and been very consistent in his training.”
First Mission, a homebred son of Street Sense , earned a 103 Equibase Speed Figure for his victory in the Lexington Stakes. In comparison, likely Preakness favorite and Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage earned a 104 in the Run for the Roses, coming in more demanding circumstances against a deeper and classier field.
As for the Derby winner, his final training session at Churchill Downs prior to competing in the Preakness did not go off without a hitch. The colt eventually galloped about 1 1/2 miles but exercise rider J.J. Delgado had to pause his training to fix a back bandage (for protection) that came loose after the first half-mile.
Kentucky Derby winner Mage completed his final training session at Churchill Downs this morning before he ships to Baltimore for the Preakness. pic.twitter.com/GaDVxKn2Zf
— Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) May 13, 2023
Following the minor mishap, the Derby winner continued on his way around the racetrack before he returned to Barn 42 where trainer Gustavo Delgado prepared to ship the colt to Baltimore late Saturday afternoon.
“We always wanted to be more cautious before making the decision whether to run in the Preakness after the Derby,” co-owner/assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr. said. “It was fair to ask the question. We just wanted to make sure he was giving us all the right signs following the Derby and he is. The fact that he only has four starts and young horses tend to get better after they get a few starts under them, it gives us a bit of confidence.”
A son of Good Magic , Mage races for OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing, and Commonwealth Thoroughbreds.
The van that will transport Mage to Pimlico in Baltimore was expected to depart around 4 p.m. ET, according to Steve Hargrave, Churchill Downs’ senior director of the stable area. The van trip is more than 600 miles and usually takes about nine hours to complete.
Delgado has only started one horse in the Preakness including Bodexpress who ran in the second jewel of racing’s Triple Crown in 2019 where he unseated jockey John Velazquez leaving the gate.
Entries for the Preakness will close May 15 and post positions will be drawn that day.
Confidence Game trains ahead of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
Trainer Keith Desormeaux said Saturday morning that Oaklawn Park’s Rebel Stakes (G2) winner Confidence Game will not make the Preakness Stakes. Confidence Game finished 10th in the Kentucky Derby.
“He trained all right this morning. He’s just not 100%,” Desormeaux said. “He’s got something aggravating him in the right front shoulder area. We’re going to send him to Dr. (Larry) Bramlage (at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital) and let him do full diagnostics and let him advise us on how to proceed. He’s good, but he’s not Preakness perfect.”
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
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