Although history may not be in Eddington’s favor as he prepares for his expected start in the Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 15, trainer Mark Hennig is confident his colt’s natural talent is enough to overcome an unfavorable trend.
Eddington will attempt to become just the seventh horse in the last 50 years to win the middle jewel of the Triple Crown after skipping the Kentucky Derby (G1). The last horse to accomplish the feat was Red Bullet in 2000.
Eddington’s absence from the Derby was not by choice as the son of Unbridled lacked sufficient graded stakes earnings to get into the 20-horse field. Still, Hennig believes the time off could ultimately work in his horse’s favor.
"It seems like a benefit and there are a lot of horses that don’t have the natural stamina to get the distances of the Derby and the Preakness," Hennig said. "I feel comfortable saying Eddington will relish anything over a mile."
Eddington showed his readiness for the Preakness when he breezed five furlongs in 1:00.14 under jockey Aaron Gryder over Belmont Park’s main track Saturday morning, second-fastest of 19 works at the distance.
"He was very relaxed. He’s obviously a talented horse," Gryder said. "I’m not sure if he knows how talented he is yet. From a physical appearance, he’s always looked like he’s developed physically before he did mentally. Hopefully, he mind is catching up to his body."
Eddington has not started since finishing third to Tapit in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) at Aqueduct on April 10. He has won two of six career starts and earned $149,560 for owners Willmott Stables, Inc.
Also on the workout tab Saturday was multiple stakes winner Water Cannon who breezed five furlongs in a bullet 1:00.80 at Bowie Training Center in preparation for his expected start in the Preakness.
“He is doing exceptionally well,” jockey Ryan Fogelsonger said of Water Cannon. “He’s won five in a row and is on top of his game.”
Imperialism, third in the Kentucky Derby, and Whirlaway Stakes winner Little Matth Man were each confirmed among the list of probable Preakness starters on Saturday, bringing the field to nine.
“I’m 90% convinced we are coming,” said Imperialism’s owner Steve Taub. “The horse is perfect.”
Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner The Cliff’s Edge, fifth in the Kentucky Derby after losing both of his front shoes, is scheduled to work five furlongs at Churchill Downs on Sunday in his final major move before the Preakness.
Trainer Nick Zito is slated to ship the son of Gulch to Pimlico Race Course on Monday and is anxious to get another chance to face undefeated Derby winner Smarty Jones.
"The winner you can’t take anything away from—the winner is seven-for-seven," Zito said. "He’s definitely a great horse, there’s no question. He’s definitely a great horse, no question. We’ve all got to get through him until he stumbles."
Zito said Derby Trial Stakes (G3) winner Sir Shackleton remains possible for the Preakness and that stablemate Royal Assault would start in the Sir Barton Stakes on the Preakness undercard in preparation for a possible run in the Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 5.
Preakness hopeful Rock Hard Ten galloped at Churchill Downs on Saturday and is expected to work early next week before shipping to Pimlico on Wednesday.
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Eddington will attempt to become just the seventh horse in the last 50 years to win the middle jewel of the Triple Crown after skipping the Kentucky Derby (G1). The last horse to accomplish the feat was Red Bullet in 2000.
Eddington’s absence from the Derby was not by choice as the son of Unbridled lacked sufficient graded stakes earnings to get into the 20-horse field. Still, Hennig believes the time off could ultimately work in his horse’s favor.
"It seems like a benefit and there are a lot of horses that don’t have the natural stamina to get the distances of the Derby and the Preakness," Hennig said. "I feel comfortable saying Eddington will relish anything over a mile."
Eddington showed his readiness for the Preakness when he breezed five furlongs in 1:00.14 under jockey Aaron Gryder over Belmont Park’s main track Saturday morning, second-fastest of 19 works at the distance.
"He was very relaxed. He’s obviously a talented horse," Gryder said. "I’m not sure if he knows how talented he is yet. From a physical appearance, he’s always looked like he’s developed physically before he did mentally. Hopefully, he mind is catching up to his body."
Eddington has not started since finishing third to Tapit in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) at Aqueduct on April 10. He has won two of six career starts and earned $149,560 for owners Willmott Stables, Inc.
Also on the workout tab Saturday was multiple stakes winner Water Cannon who breezed five furlongs in a bullet 1:00.80 at Bowie Training Center in preparation for his expected start in the Preakness.
“He is doing exceptionally well,” jockey Ryan Fogelsonger said of Water Cannon. “He’s won five in a row and is on top of his game.”
Imperialism, third in the Kentucky Derby, and Whirlaway Stakes winner Little Matth Man were each confirmed among the list of probable Preakness starters on Saturday, bringing the field to nine.
“I’m 90% convinced we are coming,” said Imperialism’s owner Steve Taub. “The horse is perfect.”
Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner The Cliff’s Edge, fifth in the Kentucky Derby after losing both of his front shoes, is scheduled to work five furlongs at Churchill Downs on Sunday in his final major move before the Preakness.
Trainer Nick Zito is slated to ship the son of Gulch to Pimlico Race Course on Monday and is anxious to get another chance to face undefeated Derby winner Smarty Jones.
"The winner you can’t take anything away from—the winner is seven-for-seven," Zito said. "He’s definitely a great horse, there’s no question. He’s definitely a great horse, no question. We’ve all got to get through him until he stumbles."
Zito said Derby Trial Stakes (G3) winner Sir Shackleton remains possible for the Preakness and that stablemate Royal Assault would start in the Sir Barton Stakes on the Preakness undercard in preparation for a possible run in the Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 5.
Preakness hopeful Rock Hard Ten galloped at Churchill Downs on Saturday and is expected to work early next week before shipping to Pimlico on Wednesday.
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com
