The mostest hoss, Derby champion Orb, posted a breeze that normally understated trainer Shug McGaughey described as “nothing short of magnificent” this morning. The son of Malibu Moon zipped a half-mile in about 47 1/5 seconds, which looks all the better considering that his opening quarter took 24 2/5. He galloped out five in 59 2/5. Here at The Racing Biz we protest the idea of works timed to the hundredth, which gives a patina of exactness that anyone who’s been around works knows is illusory. Well, technically, we don’t protest them; we just don’t report ’em that way…
And in more Orb news, the horse arrived at Pimlico this afternoon and will spend his week in Stall 40 of the Preakness barn…
Govenor Charlie remained uncommitted but certainly made a statement about his fitness this morning, zipping thre-quarters of a mile in 1:10 4/5 at Churchill Downs. “He worked good enough to run,” said trainer Bob Baffert, but he and owner Mike Pegram won’t make a decision until Tuesday…
Mylute joined the fray this weekend and on Monday worked a half in 49 and change with rider Rosie Napravnik aboard…
D. Wayne Lukas trainees Oxbow and Will Take Charge — sixth and eighth in the Kentucky Derby, respectively — had separate four-furlong works this morning. The former, beneath jockey Gary Stevens, went in 49 4/5, while the latter, helmed by exercise rider Rudy Quevedo, went in 48 2/5. Meanwhile, Lukas’ other Preakness entrant, Titletown Five, galloped 1 1/4 miles…
Doug O’Neill, trainer of Goldencents, the first Preakness starter to arrive on the grounds, shortly after his disappointing Derby effort, called an audible this weekend. He’d initially planned to work the son of Into Mischief yesterday or today but decided instead to gallop up to the Preakness rather than putting another work into him…
Itsmyluckyday breezed on Sunday between races at Monmouth Park for trainer Eddie Plesa, getting a half mile in 47 1/5 seconds. He’s scheduled to head to Pimlico on Tuesday…
Vyjack, Normandy Invasion, and Street Spice are off the Preakness trail…
