Albaugh Family Stables’ Catching Freedom , the Kentucky Derby (G1) fourth-place finisher, will run in the May 18 $2 million Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course, trainer Brad Cox said May 12.
Cox’s initial reaction was not to run Catching Freedom back in two weeks after the hard race the Louisiana Derby (G2) winner had in the Kentucky Derby, in which he finished less than two lengths behind victorious Mystik Dan . But Catching Freedom has been training so well at Churchill Downs that Cox felt the colt deserved another chance at a Triple Crown race.
Flavien Prat, aboard for the Louisiana Derby and the Kentucky Derby, has the mount.
“Obviously we like how he’s doing,” Cox said. “It’s just eight days after the Derby. It’s very important to watch the horse. He has been galloping well. I’m happy with the way he’s moving. Tomorrow (May 13) is entry day, and we are going to ship tomorrow. We need to get our ducks in a row, and we feel he’s shown us enough.
“It’s not ideal to run back in two weeks at this level, but that’s the way the schedule is. This race provides an opportunity to be very competitive in a grade 1. We don’t want to miss that opportunity as long as he’s doing well. The Preakness is a very prestigious race. It’s not only a grade 1 but a classic.”
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Cox has participated in the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown only once before, finishing third with Owendale and fourth with Warrior’s Charge in the 2019 edition, neither of whom ran in the Derby. He had one of the Preakness favorites last year in multiple graded-stakes winner First Mission , only to have that horse scratched the day before the race.
“We put a lot of focus on the Kentucky Derby, and that obviously does take away from Preakness a little bit,” the lifelong Louisvillian said. “It’s just not as common to run these horses back in two weeks as maybe it used to be. It basically comes down to how the horse is doing, and we’re happy with the way he’s training. Based off who we hear is running, he stacks up with that group of horses—bottom line.”
Cox said Catching Freedom will leave for Baltimore after training Monday morning. His son, assistant trainer Blake Cox, will oversee Catching Freedom’s preparations at Pimlico.
Uncle Heavy, Mugatu Record Final Breezes Saturday
Michael Milam and LC Racing’s Uncle Heavy received a very positive review from trainer Butch Reid Jr. May 11 after turning in his final breeze for the Preakness. Under his regular exercise rider Jose Castro, Uncle Heavy covered four furlongs in :47.34 at Parx Racing. It was the third-fastest time of 34 breezes at the distance at the track.
“He just worked great,” Reid said. “The track was a little bit faster up here today than it’s been because of all the moisture that we had all week. With that said, he did it very well under control. We just let him run a little bit the last eighth of a mile. He finished up there in 47 and change and came back and couldn’t blow out (a) match and barely took a couple of sips of water. It was just what we were looking for and he galloped out good and strong.”
Pennsylvania-bred Uncle Heavy, making his first start since finishing fifth after a troubled trip in the April 6 Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack, has worked three times since the Wood.
Five-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. will ride Uncle Heavy in the Preakness, replacing Mychel Sanchez. He will be Ortiz’s sixth Preakness mount. Ortiz has a pair of second-place finishes in the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown: 2021 on Midnight Bourbon and last year with Blazing Sevens .
“You couldn’t ask for better than Irad,” Reid said. “Irad and I have had some success over the years. So, we have a good relationship. I feel very good going into the race.”
Uncle Heavy is scheduled to ship to Pimlico May 14.
Average Joe Racing Stables and Dan Wells’ Mugatu breezed five furlongs at Belterra Park Saturday morning for a start in the Preakness.
The 3-year-old son of Blofeld was timed in :59 3/5 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:13, said trainer Jeff Engler.
“He’s ready to go,” Engler said “I’m waiting to hear back from Brookledge. I think they said Tuesday or Wednesday. If it’s Wednesday, it will obviously be early.”
Engler said Joe Bravo has the mount aboard Mugatu. Bravo, who has ridden five Preakness starters, was aboard Mugatu for a 3 1/2-length maiden special weight score on Tapeta last November at Gulfstream Park, the only time he’s ridden the Engler trainee.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
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