McLaughlin Wants to Win--Like Now!
Frustrated by his 0-for-2 performance in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has turned to a speed horse in his effort to win the Preakness.
After Jazil finished fourth and Flashy Bull took 14th in the Derby, McLaughlin decided to take a fresh approach in his effort to win a Triple Crown race.
Like Now and Diabolical, new shooters in the Preakness, are expected to set the early pace with Brother Derek. Like Now has an advantage, however, because he will start on the rail.
"Being that we're inside, I think the draw looks excellent," McLaughlin said. "Brother Derek is in the 5-hole and Diabolical is in the 9, so Diabolical's definitely going to be wide. Either he's going to go fast and clear us, or he's going to get hung out." And Brother Derek?
"Either he's going to go and clear us, or we're going. We're as fast as anybody else," McLaughlin reasoned.
Of course, the horse everyone's talking about is Derby winner Barbaro. McLaughlin is no exception.
"We're going to run our race, regardless," he said. "We can't worry about beating him. He's got to beat himself. He's the best horse. We just have to hope the two weeks sets him back."
A new shooter hasn't won the Preakness since Red Bullet in 2000, but it stands to reason that Like Now, Diabolical, Bernardini, Greeley's Legacy, Hemingway's Kid and Platinum Couple are fresher than the three horses back from the Derby.
They also offer a bit of the unknown.
"I don't know Bernardini. He looks like a real nice horse. He won two out of his three races," trainer Michael Matz said. "Bernardini's a new horse coming after us."
Dan Hendricks, trainer for Brother Derek, said Thursday that one reason why it's so tough to win a Triple Crown is that it often requires beating fresher competition.
"That's what makes it special," he said. "You've got to knock off all the newcomers, everybody. The next guy that wins it, that's going to make it extra special."
Like Now won the Gotham in March in a wire-to-wire performance, and McLaughlin can only hope for a repeat performance Saturday. The difference this time is that veteran jockey Garrett Gomez will replace 18-year-old Fernando Jara, a decision made by owner John J. Dillon.
Like Now galloped 1 3/8 miles at Belmont Park on Thursday. He'll be shipped to Pimlico on Friday.
A year ago, McLaughlin saddled Closing Argument in the Kentucky Derby and nearly pulled off a historic upset. Giacomo came flying past Closing Argument in the final 70 yards and won the Derby by a half-length at 50-1 odds. Closing Argument was an even longer shot at 71-1.
Like Now, in comparison, is a 12-1 choice.
Coming off a second-place finish in the Lexington (gr. II) at Keeneland on April 22, Like Now could benefit from missing the Derby.
"I think it definitely was the right plan for this horse," McLaughlin said. "I have a lot of respect for Barbaro, Brother Derek and Bernardini, but we have a top rider, the horse is doing very well and he deserves a chance. We're going to be there trying our best."
Source: tcm.bloodhorse.com
After Jazil finished fourth and Flashy Bull took 14th in the Derby, McLaughlin decided to take a fresh approach in his effort to win a Triple Crown race.
Like Now and Diabolical, new shooters in the Preakness, are expected to set the early pace with Brother Derek. Like Now has an advantage, however, because he will start on the rail.
"Being that we're inside, I think the draw looks excellent," McLaughlin said. "Brother Derek is in the 5-hole and Diabolical is in the 9, so Diabolical's definitely going to be wide. Either he's going to go fast and clear us, or he's going to get hung out." And Brother Derek?
"Either he's going to go and clear us, or we're going. We're as fast as anybody else," McLaughlin reasoned.
Of course, the horse everyone's talking about is Derby winner Barbaro. McLaughlin is no exception.
"We're going to run our race, regardless," he said. "We can't worry about beating him. He's got to beat himself. He's the best horse. We just have to hope the two weeks sets him back."
A new shooter hasn't won the Preakness since Red Bullet in 2000, but it stands to reason that Like Now, Diabolical, Bernardini, Greeley's Legacy, Hemingway's Kid and Platinum Couple are fresher than the three horses back from the Derby.
They also offer a bit of the unknown.
"I don't know Bernardini. He looks like a real nice horse. He won two out of his three races," trainer Michael Matz said. "Bernardini's a new horse coming after us."
Dan Hendricks, trainer for Brother Derek, said Thursday that one reason why it's so tough to win a Triple Crown is that it often requires beating fresher competition.
"That's what makes it special," he said. "You've got to knock off all the newcomers, everybody. The next guy that wins it, that's going to make it extra special."
Like Now won the Gotham in March in a wire-to-wire performance, and McLaughlin can only hope for a repeat performance Saturday. The difference this time is that veteran jockey Garrett Gomez will replace 18-year-old Fernando Jara, a decision made by owner John J. Dillon.
Like Now galloped 1 3/8 miles at Belmont Park on Thursday. He'll be shipped to Pimlico on Friday.
A year ago, McLaughlin saddled Closing Argument in the Kentucky Derby and nearly pulled off a historic upset. Giacomo came flying past Closing Argument in the final 70 yards and won the Derby by a half-length at 50-1 odds. Closing Argument was an even longer shot at 71-1.
Like Now, in comparison, is a 12-1 choice.
Coming off a second-place finish in the Lexington (gr. II) at Keeneland on April 22, Like Now could benefit from missing the Derby.
"I think it definitely was the right plan for this horse," McLaughlin said. "I have a lot of respect for Barbaro, Brother Derek and Bernardini, but we have a top rider, the horse is doing very well and he deserves a chance. We're going to be there trying our best."
Source: tcm.bloodhorse.com
posted by Jacobo | 8:37 AM
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