Jeff Roberson/Associated Press
Whereas Medina Spirit wasn’t a entire darkish horse in the Kentucky Derby, his enjoy Saturday was once peaceable a bit a shock. Even trainer Bob Baffert wasn’t convinced that his horse had the merchandise to pull the upset.
“I’ve he’s a top 10. Veritably, I approach in right here with a top five,” Baffert stated, per Marcus Hersh of the On each day basis Racing Manufacture. “Issues are going to must head his formula if he goes to gain there.”
After all, Medina Spirit did gain there and could per chance perchance well now have an opportunity to notch one more jewel in the Triple Crown in Can also 15’s Preakness Stakes.
Although the discipline has now now not been confirmed, Medina Spirit is anticipated to plod in the Preakness.
2021 Preakness
When: Saturday, Can also 15
Where: Pimlico Creep Direction, Baltimore
TV and Dwell Shuffle: NBC and NBCSports.com
Post Time: 5: 45 p.m. ET
Whereas Medina Spirit will must have an opportunity to preserve up one more enjoy, the anticipated discipline goes to manufacture some stiff competition. For one thing, several horses can be more rested than the Kentucky Derby champ.
In step with Byron King of BloodHorse, diverse the Derby’s participants are anticipated to skip the second leg of the Triple Crown. Amongst the shooters—horses that didn’t enjoy part in the Derby—can be one more Baffert-trained horse, Concert Tour.
“[I need to] sit down down and seek the advice of with [owner Gary] West,” Baffert stated, per King. “He wants that horse to accomplish, don’t gain in a fling with issues. We know he’s a extremely upright horse.”
The Brad H. Cox-trained Caddo River is one more probably contender who could per chance perchance well give Medina Spirit a plod. Caddo River took second in the Arkansas Derby but didn’t compete at Churchill Downs on Saturday.
Kentucky Derby approved Essential Quality and fellow Cox-trained horse Mandaloun—the Derby runner-up—is also aid for the Preakness.
“We were so grateful that both of our horses ran to boot to they did,” Cox stated, per John Clay of the Lexington Herald Chief. “Essential Quality got a posh time out being so wide, but coming that shut to a Derby enjoy makes me desire more. We’ll be aid.”
Whether or not they’re going to amass fragment in the Preakness or will wait for the Belmont Stakes on June 5 stays to be considered. On the other hand, Essential Quality—undefeated in five races sooner than The Creep for the Roses—could per chance perchance well be conception to be one of many favorites if he does plod.
The truth for Medina Spirit is that a hit aid-to-aid jewel races is advanced, and we’re now now not talking about a dominant horse. The Derby winner accomplished second at both the Santa Anita Derby and the San Felipe Stakes sooner than Saturday’s triumph.
Invent now now not demand Medina Spirit to be racing for the Triple Crown on the Belmont.
2021 Preakness Probables
Caddo River
Concert Tour
Crowded Commerce
France Shuffle De Ina
Get Her Quantity
Medina Spirit
Rombauer
Tarantino
Probables per US Racing.
