Preakness: Quip shows “good energy” in morning jog

From a Maryland Jockey Club release

Quip jogged a mile at Keeneland under trainer Rodolphe Brisset Tuesday morning while returning to the track for the first time since breezing four furlongs in 48.20 seconds Sunday.

“He walked yesterday. He jogged and stood in the gate today. Everything is good,” Brisset said. “He’s showing good energy. He was very sound this morning. He went to the gate and he was at peace, so we’re in good shape.”

The son of Distorted Humor, who is owned by WinStar Farm, China Horse Club and SF Racing, was not always so cooperative during his 2-year-old campaign that concluded with a troubled seventh-place finish in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs that followed a debut victory at Churchill and a front-running 6 ½-length victory in a Keeneland allowance.

“He’s changed a lot. After the Kentucky Jockey Club, we gave him a couple of weeks off. When he came to us at Fair Grounds, you could see the maturation,” Brisset said. “You still have to be a little careful when he’s around too many horses. He’s still studdish. You still have to be a little careful, but he’s way more professional.”

Quip captured the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) in his 2018 debut March 10 and finished second in the Arkansas Derby (G1) April 14.

The WinStar homebred is scheduled to meet up with Kentucky Derby winner Justify and Lone Sailor in Louisville Wednesday morning for a scheduled flight to Baltimore.

“He’s going to do an easy mile. We’re supposed to get rain, so we’ll see how the track is going to be, I’m going to get on him and do a little something, nothing crazy and then he vans to Louisville about 8:30,” Brisset said. “I’m going to head there before him. I can race him there.”