Danzig Moon training prior to the Kentucky Derby. Photo provided by the Maryland Jockey Club.
From a Maryland Jockey Club release
Assistant trainer Norman Casse confirmed Saturday morning that John Oxley’s Danzig Moon will ship from Churchill Downs to Pimlico Race Course to compete in the 140th Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 16.
“We are going,” said Casse, assistant to his father Mark Casse. “He came out of the Derby really well and deserves another chance.”
Danzig Moon finished fifth in last Saturday’s Kentucky Derby (G1) after getting caught up in the middle of a tightly packed bunch in the run to the first turn of the Run for the Roses but continued on to finish 6 ½ lengths behind victorious American Pharoah.
Julien Leparoux, who has ridden Danzig Moon in all four of his starts in 2015, retains the mount for the Preakness.
Danzig Moon will give Oxley and Casse a second Preakness starter in two years. Last year, Dynamic Impact finished seventh behind winner California Chrome.
“We made the decision last night, but we wanted to give him another day to train before making the announcement,” Casse said. “He trained great this morning going a mile and a half in the first set.”
Casse said Danzig Moon would have the day off Sunday and then gallop the next three mornings before shipping to Baltimore Wednesday after training hours.
