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| May 20, 2006 | Saturday | Rabi-us-Sani 21, 1427 |
Favourite Barbaro's stamina to be tested
BALTIMORE, May 19: Barbaro's stamina will be put to the test when the unbeaten Triple Crown hopeful abandons his conservative training regimen to race in the Preakness Stakes on Saturday.
The dark bay son of Dynaformer exploded down the stretch to win the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago by an astounding 6 1/2 lengths but has never raced with less than 34 days rest.
Not even trainer Michael Matz knows if his talented colt will make it seven-for-seven in the nine-horse, mile-and-three-sixteenths race at Pimlico Race Course.
“He has a big heart,” he said. “He has a terrific stride. He's very willing. But nobody knows.”
The muscular colt, who has won on turf, the dirt, and over a sloppy track, will at least have history on his side.
No horse has ever entered the Preakness unbeaten and lost.
Barbaro's chief competition will likely come from the two other horses to race in the Kentucky Derby, California-bred Brother Derek and local favorite Sweetnorthernsaint.
With Alex Solis in the saddle, Brother Derek broke from the 18th post in the 20-horse Derby and was forced to race wide along two turns while finishing in a dead heat for fourth.
Trainer Dan Hendricks said the Santa Anita Derby winner proved a lot during that rough ride at Churchill Downs.
“It answered a lot of questions,” Hendricks said.
“He can come from behind, take the dirt, have a little trouble in the trip and still run his race and not give up. He never quits.”
Maryland-based Sweetnorthernsaint was the Derby favorite after his stunning 9 1/4-length victory in last month's Grade II Illinois Derby.
But jockey Kent Desormeaux also had a rough trip, maneuvering the dark brown gelding to an unforgiving spot along the rail at Churchill Downs en route to a seventh-place finish.
Barbaro, breaking from the six hole, will be sandwiched by Brother Derek on the inside at number five and Sweetnorthernsaint on the outside at the seven spot.
Perhaps the only other colt with a legitimate shot at winning is Bernardini, winner of the Grade III Withers Stakes last month at Aqueduct.
But all eyes will be on Barbaro, whose dominating Derby win with jockey Edgar Prado was by the largest margin in 60 years.
The colt appears to be getting better with each race.
Kiaran McLaughlin, who trains front-running gelding Like Now, believes only the short two-week gap between the Derby and Preakness can spell doom for Barbaro.
“We can't worry about beating him,” said McLaughlin, whose horse will break from the number one post.
“He's got to beat himself. He's the best horse. The timing has to beat him... We just have to hope the two weeks sets him back.”
Barbaro's versatility and unblemished record have many believing he could become the 12th Triple Crown winner and first since Affirmed in 1978.
But Hendricks said it is a little premature to point towards the June 10 Belmont Stakes for a date with history.—Reuters
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