Kentucky Derby Winner Big Brown Stays On Triple Crown Trail To Race in The 2008 Preakness Stakes
The eyes of the racing world shift from Churchill Downs to Pimlico Race Course as the Triple Crown players set their sights on Baltimore for the 2008 Preakness Stakes on May 17.
This morning trainer Richard Dutrow, Jr. informed Maryland Jockey Club officials that Kentcuky Derby winner Big Brown will be Baltimore bound for the middle jewel.
The Kentucky Derby winner has reached the finish line first at historic Old Hilltop six times in the last 11 runnings.
The son of Boundary will train at Churchill Downs for his preparations for the Preakness and is expected to arrive at Pimlico Wednesday, May 14.
“I like our chances because we have the best horse,” said horse trainer Rick Dutrow, who was born in Hagerstown, Maryland and attended Atholton High School in Howard County. “I am going to see a bunch of friends but I am going there with a horse that can win the race.”
Horse trainer Rick Dutrow’s father, Dickie Dutrow, battled King Leatherbury, Bud Delp and John Tammaro for training supremacy in Maryland in the 1970’s. The elder Dutrow captured four training titles at Pimlico during that decade. Dutrow’s older brother, Tony, was a top Maryland conditioner before moving his stable to Philadelphia Park several years ago.
Jockey Kent Desormeaux also has local ties. The 38-year-old won five riding titles at Pimlico from 1987 to 1989. The Hall of Famer won Maryland’s signature race aboard Real Quiet in 1998 and has 10 career Preakness mounts with three runner-up finishes.
The only Kentucky Derby finisher that might come back to challenge the winner is Recapturetheglory, who finished fifth yesterday despite trouble in the paddock. Trainer and co-owner Louie Roussel indicated a final decision would be made tomorrow.
“We are getting in the car and either driving eight to 10 hours to Baltimore or New Orleans,” said Roussel, who trained Risen Star to Preakness glory 20 years ago.
Out of the possible Preakness contenders, eight rested horses emerge to face Big Brown: Behindatthebar (Lexington Stakes winner); El Gato Malo (San Rafael winner); Giant Moon (Count Fleet winner); Harlem Rocker (Withers winner); Kentucky Bear (third, Blue Grass); Stevil (fourth, Blue Grass) Tres Borrachos, (third, Arkansas Derby) and Yankee Bravo (California Derby winner).
The Preakness Stakes is limited to 14 starters. Thirteen of the last 16 years have produced double-digit starters.
Last year’s Preakness Stakes winner, Curlin, became Breeders’ Cup Classic champion en route to his Horse of the Year honors.
Edited press release from www.preakness.com.
