Derby good Preakness “prep” for Confidence Game
Press Release- May 11, 2023
Confidence Game, 10th in the Kentucky Derby in his first race since winning Oaklawn Park’s Feb. 25 Rebel Stakes (G2), resumed training Wednesday with a gallop at Churchill Downs. Trainer Keith Desormeaux would like to run in the Preakness, a race he won in 2016 with Exaggerator, but wants to make sure the colt’s energy level has returned.
Desormeaux said the 10 weeks between races “had nothing to do” with Confidence Game’s placing. That said, he thinks having that time off between the Rebel and the Derby will play in Confidence Game’s favor in the Preakness.
“You want me to just lay down the law, the truth?” he joked earlier in the week before returning to California to check on his Santa Anita barn. “I used the Derby to prep for the Preakness. A $50,000 (in entry fees) workout. We got to party, got a saddle towel, got a lot of good pictures, prep for the Preakness. Now all I’ve got to do is jog him, light gallop, and we’re ready.”
In the Derby, Confidence Game ran up close to a sizzling early pace and was just two lengths off the lead after the first mile. But he tired in the final furlong, finishing 14 1/2 lengths behind winner Mage. Still, it was a credible try; the only horse ahead of him early to finish ahead of him was runner-up Two Phil’s.
Desormeaux said the Derby field doesn’t get the respect it merits, starting with Mage’s late rally to edge the gritty Two Phil’s by a length.
“I heard some rumbling that it was a great year to win with a lesser horse. That’s B.S.,” he said. “Those are some good horses. I thought it was high quality, even with (Florida Derby winner) Forte out and (Santa Anita Derby winner) Practical Move. How much better is it with those guys? But I still think it was an awesome race.”
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