|
By Frank Pingue
(Reuters) - Trainer Bob Baffert,
who won a record-setting seventh Kentucky Derby with Medina
Spirit last week, said the dark bay colt had another light
workout on Thursday and is currently in peak form ahead of next
week's Preakness Stakes.
Baffert said it takes about a week to determine if a horse will
be ready in time for the Preakness Stakes but that Medina Spirit
came out of the Kentucky Derby well, has jogged for two
consecutive days and he sees no discouraging signs.
"I'll know by the weekend how he is doing but so far he is
actually handling it pretty well," twice Triple Crown winner
Baffert, who is scheduled to return to Louisville over the
weekend, said on a conference call.
"He's a horse that's bred to go that far... he's got a light
frame on him and those lighter frame horses - it's not as hard
on him like a big strong heavy horse.
"I haven't seen anything right now that would make me think well
maybe I should skip the Preakness but I have to see for my own
eyes when I go there and watch training."
Jockey John Velazquez led Medina Spirit, who has never finished
worse than second in six career starts, from the front and held
off a trio of challengers down the stretch to secure a
half-length victory in the 19-horse Kentucky Derby.
The 1-3/16 mile Preakness Stakes on May 15 at Pimlico Race
Course in Baltimore is the second jewel of U.S. thoroughbred
racing's Triple Crown.
Baffert said there are really no certainties with horses and
referred to 2010 when Kentucky Derby favourite Lookin at Lucky
was completely wiped out after finishing a disappointing sixth
but went on to win the Preakness Stakes two weeks later.
"The first four days he was just laying down, was cut up and
really out of it and I told the owners I am not going to run in
the Preakness," said Baffert.
"And by Monday I told them we are going to run in the Preakness
and I think we could win. It could change that drastically."
Baffert also said if Medina Spirit does not triumph in the
Preakness Stakes he was not sure whether the horse would race at
the June 5 Belmont Stakes in New York.
"Medina, if he were to get beat, I don't even know if I'd run
him in the Belmont," said Baffert. "He would probably have to
win (the Preakness). I'll cross that bridge when I have to."
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Ken Ferris)
[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
|
