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Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown
Photo Credit: Mike Kane
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LOUISVILLE, 05-04-08---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 133rd running of the Preakness® Stakes on May 17.
This morning trainer Richard Dutrow, Jr. informed Maryland Jockey Club officials that Big Brown, the impressive winner of yesterday’s Kentucky Derby, will be Baltimore bound for the middle jewel. The 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 Preakness preparations and is expected to arrive at Pimlico Wednesday, May 14 in Stall 40 of the stakes barn.
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Trainer Richard Dutrow , Jr. meets the press.
Photo Credit: Mike Kane
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“I like our chances because we have the best horse,” said 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.”
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 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.
Eight new shooters are possible for the Preakness: 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 is limited to 14 starters. Thirteen of the last 16 years have produced double-digit starters.
-MJC-