Any concern that Catching Freedom ‘s energy levels would be diminished in the two weeks following a solid fourth-place finish in the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs went out the window once he arrived at Pimlico Race Course. The son of Constitution has been quite rambunctious in his training preparations for the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1).
“He’s coming off the track bucking and squealing. He’s as happy as he’s going to get,” said assistant trainer Blake Cox, the son of trainer Brad Cox.
Catching Freedom was the first Preakness Stakes contender on the track May 17 for a 1 3/8-mile gallop. Cox plans to school him in the paddock during the races Friday after his first schooling session the day before went well. How he acts during his schooling will determine whether the Louisiana Derby (G2) winner will hit the track Saturday morning ahead of the Preakness.
“If we need to take edge the off of him tomorrow morning, we will,” Blake Cox said. “We’ll play it by ear.”
Blake has continued to pick up more responsibility in his father’s barn over the years and has watched over Catching Freedom his entire week at Pimlico.
“It’s very exciting, it’s a big role,” Blake said. “We expect him to run well and hopefully he will.”
Brad Cox is set to arrive at Pimlico Saturday morning.
Albarado Galloping Two Preakness Runners
Retired jockey turned exercise rider Robby Albarado has not only been preparing Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan for the Preakness, but has hopped aboard Blue Grass Stakes (G1) fifth-place finisher Mugatu for the last two mornings.
The pair went out for an easy gallop Friday under the watchful eye of trainer Jeff Engler.
“(Mugatu) looked smooth,” Engler said. “Robby said he went great. Feeling good, happy, calm. He should run good. He’s ready to roll.”
Also ready to roll is Withers Stakes (G3) winner Uncle Heavy . The Pennsylvania-bred son of Social Inclusion jogged a mile around the outside rail as his final preparation for the Preakness.
MYSTIKAL FAVORITE
Brian Hernandez Jr. was listening to the car radio May 15 when he heard the news. “Steve Byk reported that Muth was being scratched,” Hernandez said.
That’s how the man who won the Kentucky Derby on 18-1 shot Mystik Dan learned his mount would be the favorite in the Preakness.
Mystik Dan inherited Muth ‘s role as the 8-5 morning-line choice, down from 5-2.
“I was driving to a meet-and-greet in downtown Louisville,” Hernandez said. “It was a little bit of a shock. You wish the best for the horse, but it means there’s one less horse to worry about and one less traffic problem.”
Mystik Dan and Brian Hernandez Jr. win the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
The 38-year-old Louisiana native said he and trainer Kenny McPeek had yet to sit down and create a game plan for the race, but he anticipates superstar rider Frankie Dettori will try to control the pace on Muth’s stablemate, trainer Bob Baffert’s Imagination .
“Looks like (Dettori) will probably go from the outside (post 8),” Hernandez said. “I’m going to sit down today and watch all the replays of all the horses.”
The weather forecast is on Mystik Dan’s side. Weather.com forecasts light rain to fall Friday night and continue throughout Saturday morning and afternoon, potentially leading to a wet track when the Preakness goes off at 7:01 p.m. ET. Besides Mystik Dan, only longshots Uncle Heavy (2-for-2) and Seize the Grey (1-for-2) have won on off going.
“Mystik Dan won by eight in the mud in the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn,” Hernandez said. “He’s one of those rare horses who isn’t compromised by a wet track. He has enough early speed that he can be close to the pace. We’re just going to try to give him the best chance we can.”
Hugging the rail was crucial in the Derby and the Southwest. Mystik Dan, drawn in post 4 with three closers inside of him, may again have a ground-saving opportunity.
Albarado has been exercising the son of Goldencents in the mornings and giving positive reports on his condition.
Hernandez is familiar with Pimlico, where he finished third in the 2022 Preakness on the McPeek-trained Creative Minister . He won the Pimlico Special Stakes (G3) Friday with Pyrenees .
“The track is pretty fair,” he said earlier on Friday. “It seems like horses can win from anywhere.
“It’s exciting to come to the Preakness with the Derby winner. It’s really something to think about—(if successful) the chance of going for the Triple Crown in the first Belmont to be run at Saratoga.”
‘Extra Time’ for Nysos, Muth’s Blood Work Improves
Baffert provided a Friday update on one of his top runners: Nysos .
Out of racing action since winning the Feb. 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park Feb. 3, the son of Nyquist has not returned to the work tab since. The 3-year-old is undefeated in three career starts.
“I wasn’t happy the way he was training, so I gave him some time. I’m just gonna give him some extra time,” Baffert said. “I was going to try to get him ready for the Haskell (G1), but he’s not going to make that.”
Baffert also said Muth, the original favorite for the Preakness before being scratched due to a fever, is on the mend.
“The bloodwork definitely said he’s got an infection going on, but his blood work looked better today,” Baffert said.” So he’s going the right way.”
Bob Baffert congratulates jockey Flavien Prat aboard Nysos after their victory in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Park
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