I’ll Have Another: set for Triple Crown bidat Belmont in three weeks’ timePICTURE: EquiSport Photos/Matt Wooley  

Report: USA, Saturday

Pimlico: Preakness Stakes (Grade 1) 1m1½f, dirt, 3yo

I’LL HAVE ANOTHER (Doug O’Neill/Mario Gutierrez) is on course to be the first Triple Crown winner for 34 years after catching Bodemeister in the Preakness Stakes.

Bodemeister set a more comfortable pace than he did in the Kentucky Derby but I’ll Have Another was able to catch him at the wire to score by a neck.

Third place was taken by Creative Cause, who tired after trying to follow Bodemeister.

I’ll Have Another, sent off 3.2-1, stopped the clock at 1m55.94s. “On to New York, baby!” shouted winning trainer Doug O’Neill after the race, as he considered the Belmont Stakes on June 9.

“The great part of I’ll Have Another is thatany of us could have a horse like this,” O’Neill said. “He didn’t cost a million bucks. But he’s got the heart of a champion, the stride of a champion, and the mind of a champion.

“It took every bit of the stretch to get there,” he added, “but it shows you just how brilliant this horse is and how brilliant a rider Mario is.”

Bodemeister, who looks a dirt miler, again got the lead and had all the rest in trouble at the far turn before the unheralded I’ll Have Another shot him down.

The winner, a son of Travers Stakes winner Flower Alley, is now unbeaten in four starts in 2012. He paid $8.40 for the usual $2 stake.

Rookie jockey Gutierrez was overcome. “More than anything, I thank God I didn’t disappoint people,” he told NBC. “This wasn’t about me. It’s about the horse. He has a tremendous kick. He’s more smart than I am. I just let him go.”

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I’ll Have Another: set for Triple Crown bidat Belmont in three weeks’ timePICTURE: EquiSport Photos/Matt Wooley  

Report: USA, Saturday

Pimlico: Preakness Stakes (Grade 1) 1m1½f, dirt, 3yo

I’LL HAVE ANOTHER (Doug O’Neill/Mario Gutierrez) is on course to be the first Triple Crown winner for 24 years after catching Bodemeister in the Preakness Stakes.

Bodemeister set a more comfortable pace than he did in the Kentucky Derby, althoughhis chances were compromised by an anti-speed bias at Pimlico.

I’ll Have Another, a bargain buy at $11,000 as a yearling, was able to catch him at the wire to score by about a neck.

Third place was taken by Creative Cause, who tired after trying to follow Bodemeister.

I’ll Have Another, sent off 3.2-1, stopped the clock at 1m55.94s.

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Danedream set for first run on home soil since famous Longchamp victory

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)  

Preview: Germany, Sunday 3.45pm BST

Baden-Baden: Grosser Preis der Badischen Unternehmen (Group 2) 1m3f, 4yo+

A HUGE crowd is expected at Baden-Baden on Sunday as Arc heroine Danedream (Peter Schiergen/Andrasch Starke) runs for the firsttime this year.

Danedream became only the second German winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last October and also finished a respectable sixth in the Japan Cup the following month.

The German champion now embarks on a 2012 campaign, which if all goes to plan will see her challenging for the same races again in the autumn. Although the Baden-Baden race is worth only a relatively modest €70,000, peanuts compared to the sums on offerin Paris and Tokyo, this event was long ago pinpointed as her opening race of the new season.

“We decided in the winter to start her off here,” says her trainer.

“Everything has gone smoothly so far – she’s fit, she’s well and I’m totally satisfied with her. We shall decide from race to race how things will continue, but obviously the Arc is the main autumn target, followed by Japan.”

A half-share in her was sold to Japanese breeder Teruya Yoshida a few days before her Paris victory.

Schiergen, who also saddles Silvaner (Terry Hellier) and Lindenthaler (Filip Minarik), added: “Danedream is not a flashy worker, but she is very well and under normal circumstances should win. I also expect my other two runners – who are here as there are no suitable opportunities elsewhere – to run well, although of course I cannot see them beating Danedream.”

They both ran last time in the Gerling-Preis at Cologne, with Silvaner a fast-finishing runner-up, while Lindenthaer was a disappointing seventh. In the same race Norwegian-trained Sir Lando (Wido Neuroth/ Fredrik Johansson) ran third and front-runner Mighty Mouse (Pavel Vovcenko/ Freddie Tylicki) sixth.

Wido Neuroth, trainer of Sir Lando, said: “He needed the race badly at Cologne, and I expect a really strong performance today.”

Pavel Vovcenko, who saddles Mighty Mouse, said: “The distance is a furlong shorter than at Cologne, where he did not get the run of the race, and that is a definite advantage.”

The only other non-German runner is Roches Cross (Josef Vana/ Daniele Porcu), winner of last year’s Czech Derby and bred in Ireland by Jim Bolger.

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Mid Dancer: attempts to become only the third triple winner of big race

  PICTURE: Martin Lynch  

Preview: France, Sunday (3.35pm BST)

Auteuil: Gras Savoye Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (Group 1 chase) 3m5f, 5yo+

FRANCE’S richest and most historic race over jumps has an unusually open look about it this year, a fact which has encouraged connections to run a near-maximum field of 19.

Mid Dancer (Christophe Aubert/Sylvain Dehez) defends the crown he won back memorably 12 months ago after a hiatus of four years.

Aubert has followed the same route to the big day as last season with the eleven-year-old, who would become only the third triple winner in the race’s history.

“Mid Dancer is in very good form as he didn’t have a difficult race last time,” said Pegasus Farms’ racing manager Herve Barjot earlier in the week. “Mid Dancer is in top condition and physically just as good as he was last year but he is a year older.”

Rubi Ball (Jacques Ortet/David Cottin) has been the heir apparent in France ever since his duels around Auteuil with Long Run.

Having beat all but Mid Dancer in his first attempt at the Grand Steeple last year, Rubi Ball then repeated his success in the Group 1 Prix La Haye Jousselin in November.

But Ortet’s preparations this spring have been undone by sloppy jumping and the seven-year-old has not been seen since taking a crunching fall in the Prix Murat at the beginning of May.

“I think he’s at 100 per cent of his abilities and he’s schooled very well in the mornings, so I have no worries on the jumping front,” said a defiant Ortet.

The trials have allowed several legitimate contenders to emerge from the shadow of last year’s principals, notably Pistolet Rouge (Guy Cherel/Cyrille Gombeau), winner of the Murat and the Prix Troytown.

Emmanuel Clayeux also has two strong representative in Net Lovely (David Berra) and Rhilaco (Christophe Pieux), the first two home in the Prix Ingre three weeks ago.

“They have both recovered well and my main worry on Sunday is traffic problems with such a big field and possible bad luck,” said Clayeux

Net Lovely has won her last six starts at Auteuil and could become the third mare to win in the last ten renewals.

“She continues to improve with every race,” continued Clayeux. “We tried not to give either of them too hard a race last time and I certainly think there’s room for Rhialco to improve.”

Jean-Paul Gallorini sends out three for the race, with Ruby Walsh is the new partner for 2009 winner Remember Rose.

“If the ground is softer that will definitely help Remember Rose,” saidGallorini, who also saddles Shannon Rock (Thierry Majorcryk) and Quarouso (Francois Pamart). “Ruby is a real champion, especially in steeplchasing, and I’m proud to have him ride my champion.”

David Casey has been booked to partner outsider Chavoy by trainer Thomas Trapenard and said: “It’s a great bonus to be having a ride in the Grand Steeple. I’ve seen this horse run and he seems to stay well so we should have a good chance.”

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Frankel powers clear of Excelebration (far left) to make it win number ten

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker/(racingpost.com/photos)  

Report: Newbury, Saturday

JLT Lockinge Stakes (British Champion Series) (Group 1) 1m 4yo+

HE’S BACK. Frankel made it a remarkable ten wins from ten career starts with a scintillating reappearance in easily seeing off his old rival Excelebration for the fourth time.

The 2-7 favourite took up the running over a furlong from home and when Tom Queally asked him the response was immediate. He powered into top gear and Excelebration simply couldn’t go with him. Dubawi Gold was back in third.

This was a big day for Prince Khalid Abdullah’s colt in what was his first run as an older horse. Greater tests await in the summer, but the atmosphere had been building throughtout the afternoon as every racing fan waited for his return. Thankfully, the horse himself seemed to take the premlimaries in his stride and, much to Sir Henry Cecil’s relief, he didn’t let his supporters down.

“It hasn’t been straightforward as he had ten days off,” said the winning trainer. “It’s not been easy but we’ve got him throught it and he’s done exactly what I wanted him to do”

Not surprisingly a bit fresh in the early stages, Queally tacked his mount onto to the back of pacemaker and three-quarter brother Bullet Train, who gave a lovely lead before Queally decided to say go.

Excelebration had been tracking Frankel throughout and travelled just as well, but he simply doesn’t have the speed of his rival and was left floundering once again. The margin was five lengths at the line with a further four lengths back to Dubawi Gold.They had gone a good gallop and there was no argument as to the authority of this success. What a prospect we have for the rest of the season.

Queally was thrilled with his mount afterwards. “It’s a great relief he’s come back – I know he had a little scare a while back. It’s great for everyone – he belongs to racing,” said the winning rider.

“He showed that burst of acceleration and he’s not like anything I’ve sat on. He’s grown up, he’s a thicker set – look at him now he’s the real deal.”

Sir Henry Cecil: “He has done exactly what I wanted him to”

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker  

Frankel and his trainer were given a fantastic reception by the crowd when they returned to the winner’s enclosure. This colt has certainly captured people’s hearts and everyone will now want to know what his next race will be. He has a choice at Royal Ascot and it is a question of whether he stays over the same distance in the Queen Anne or goes up to 1m2f in the Prince of Wales’s.

“He’s in the two at Ascot,we’ll see,” said Cecil. “His first race is never his best and he’ll come on for this.”

William Hill now go 1-3 Frankel for the Queen Anne and make him even money (from 7-4) to remain unbeaten throughout this season, while Paddy Power go odds-on. Who would bet against it.

There will now be lots of talk of a match-up with record-breaking Australian sprinter Black Caviar now. However to expect the great mare to move up in distance and take on this monster is surely pie in the sky and the biggest test for Frankel is likely to come when he moves up in distance and has to give weight to a top-class three-year-old. Let us not forget his stamina is yet to be tested.

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Brindisi Breeze’s finest hour came on what was to ultimately be his final start, winning the Albert Bartlett Hurdle at the 2012 Cheltenham Festival

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)  

CHELTENHAM Festival winner Brindisi Breeze died in a freak accident in the early hours of Saturday morning.

“Brindisi Breeze was tragically killed last night. At 2.30am he jumped out of his paddock and was hit by a tanker, he died instantly,” trainer Lucinda Russell told her website.

She continued: “He will be sorely missed by the whole yard and especially his sporting owner Sandy Seymour who adored his horse.

“To go from the pride of standing at Cheltenham watching Brindisi and Campbell stride up the hill to victory to the devastation of today’s bizarre incident leaves me deeply saddened.

“With the love and the care that is given to these wonderful athletes, to lose any of them is difficult but when it is a horse who has achieved so much in his short life it is deeply upsetting. It will be hard to overcome.

“Here at Arlary we have a strong team of owners, horses and staff who have all been affected by Brindisi’s greatness and his loss. Each one of us have special memories of him, and we will never forget hiskind, honest nature and his untapped talent.”

The six-year-old was unbeaten in four starts over hurdles,  culminating in a two-length victory over Boston Bob in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Bought from the pointing field in Ireland, Brindisi Breeze was beaten a head on his debut in a bumper. It was the only time he tasted defeat, and once sent over hurdles he was very impressive.

Having won his maiden hurdle, he won his next two starts by an aggregate of 25 lengths, with the latter victory coming in a Grade 2 at Haydock.

He went to Cheltenham as the 7-1 second-favourite but made virtually all to get the better of his 19 rivals and give Scotland a rare Cheltenham success and their first in ten years.

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John Gosden: trainer adds another winner to a productive week

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)  

Report: Newmarket, Saturday

poptelecom.co.uk Fairway Stakes (Listed Race) 1m2f, 3yo

THOUGHT WORTHY got up to deny Frankel’s full-brother Noble Mission in a blanket finish at Newmarket.

Noble Mission, ridden by Eddie Ahern, was settled in behind the leading pair of Thought Worthy and Farhaan and galloped on strongly when he hit the rising ground in the final furlong, but was never closer than second as the race ended in a tight finish between the first two and third-placed Rugged Cross.

The Sir Henry Cecil-trained runner-up was immediately eased by BetVictor and Paddy Power for the Investec Derby with both bookmakers making him 33-1 (from 20-1).

The John Gosden-trained winner, who shared 15-8 favouritism with the second, was cut by Betfred to 25-1 (from 40-1) forthe same Classic.

Gosden said: “We took a chance coming back in trip as the ground was on the heavy side at Sandown last time.

“He’s still in the Derby and it’s up to the owner [George Strawbridge] to make a decision if he runs.”

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Frankel impressed many in a racecourse gallop at Newmarket

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)  

WITH the Richard Hannon-trained Strong Suit a non-runner in theJLT Lockinge, Frankel has been shortened into 30-100, although Coral go as short as 1-4, as the unbeaten son of Galileo faces just five rivals.

Strong Suit, who won three times in Group company last year, wants better ground and Richard Hughes said: “He’s a good horse and he’s wintered well, but he needs good ground and we’ll wait for a better surface to take on a horse like Frankel.”

The two could meet in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, should Frankel stick to 1m, but the bookmakers feel the absence of Strong Suit has made things considerably easier for the Sir Henry Cecil-trained four-year-old,with Excelebration, who is a best-priced 3-1, the only other runner shorter than 50-1.

Cecil on Saturday morning reported that Frankel travelled down to Newbury on Friday night “better than ever” ahead of his eagerly anticipated reappearance.

Hughes, who will now ride Dubawi Gold, was a guest on the Morning Line promoting his new autobiography A Weight Off My Mind and he added: “I really can’t see Frankel getting beaten.”

Download PDF to read two revealing extracts from Richard Hughes’s autobigoraphy A Weight Off My Mind – now available to buy in the Racing Post online shop

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USA: Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux will not ride in the Preakness Stakes after failing a breathalysertest in New York.

A dual Preakness winner, Desormeaux was removed as the rider of 15-1 chance Tiger Walk by owner Kevin Plank’s Sagamore Farm and trainer Ignacio Correas, and replaced by Ramon Dominguez.

The 42-year-old Desormeaux failed the test at Belmont Park and was taken off all three of his scheduled mounts. He has not been suspended, but the New York State Racing and Wagering Board is conducting an investigation.

According to a rule in New York that went into effect on April 27, every jockey named to ride is required to undergo a test for alcohol consumption.

“This was a team decision and sometimes things happen for a reason,” Sagamore Farm general manager Tom Mullikin wrote on the farm’s Twitter account.

“We’re trying to run a professional operation can’t have any distractions this weekend. We spoke w/ Kent and wished him well.”

Dual Eclipse Award winner Dominguez is looking for his first Preakness win. He’s 0 for 9 but has finished second two times, with First Dude in 2010 and Scrappy T in 2005.

“Ramon Dominguez is a great rider and we plan to have a lot of fun tomorrow,” Mullikin added.

According to the Daily Racing Form, Desormeaux failed a breathalyser test at Woodbine in July 2010 and was removed from his mount, Hold Me Back, in the Dominion Day Handicap. Hold Me Back won that race with Tyler Pizarro aboard.

Desormeaux is a three-time Eclipse Award winner with more than 5,400 wins, including Kentucky Derby and Preakness victories aboard Real Quiet in 1998 and Big Brown in 2008.

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City Style: vastly imporved in Dubai, now set for Singapore assignment

  PICTURE: Dubai Racing Club/Andrew Watkins  

Preview: Singapore, Sunday 1.40pm BST (live on ATR and RUK)

Kranji: Singapore Airlines International Cup (Group 1) 1m2f, turf, 2yo+

GODOLPHIN bid for a degree of respite from a challenging start to the European season when City Style (Mahmood Al Zarooni/ Mickael Barzalona) represents the Dubai team in Singapore on Sunday.

The six-year-old, in the best form of his life at the Dubai World Cup Carnival, faces a cosmopolitan field featuring horses from France, Germany and Hong Kong in the Singapore Airlines International Cup, a Sin$3m (£1.5m) event that Godolphin won ten years ago with Grandera.

A reproduction of his fine third to Cityscape in the Dubai Duty Free would make City Style a major contender here, but he must overcome a wide draw on softish ground that doesn’t look ideal.

Speaking on the Godolphin website, Mahmood Al Zarooni said: “City Style has improved a great deal this season and he looks to be a different horse compared to previous seasons.

“It will be the first time he is trying a mile and a quarter but I think that the step up could be in his favour. He was staying on well on all of his starts at Meydan this year and it will be interesting to see how he performs over this distance.

“Mickael Barzalona gets on very well with City Style and I am hopeful of another big run.”

Rivals include Zazou (Waldemar Hickst/Andreas Suborics), a fair fifth in the Dubai World Cup and proven on the likely ground, plus progressive filly Dream Peace (Robert Collet/Gerald Mosse) and Chinchon (Olivier Peslier/Carlos Laffon-Parias) from France. Both are well travelled, with the latter a Grade 1 winner in the States.

Hong Kong is well represented with three Group 1 winners, namely Audemars Piguert QEII Cup runner-up Thumbs Up (Caspar Fownes/Brett Prebble), California Memory (Tony Cruz/Felix Coetzee) and former Clive Brittain-trained Zaidan (John Moore/James McDonald).

The veteran Waikato (Laurie Laxon/Opie Bosson), twice in the frame in this race in the past, once again looks best of the home contingent.

Local outsider Always Certain has been scratched with a minor fetlock injury. His trainer Michael Freedman saddled Super Easy (Joao Moreira) for a spectacular victory in Friday’s Singapore Guineas in which the the champion three-year-old overcame all sorts of trouble to take his unbeaten record to ten.

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Krypton Factor (left): looking for another rich international prize

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)  

Preview: Singapore, Sunday 12.50pm BST (live on ATR and RUK)

Kranji: KrisFlyer International Sprint (Group 1) 6f, turf, 3yo+

KIEREN FALLON travels to Singapore on Sunday as Dubai Golden Shaheen winner Krypton Factor bids to strike again on the international stage for his Bahrain-based owner-trainer Fawzi Nass in the KrisFlyer Sprint.

The four-year-old, who started out with Sir Mark Prescott as a juvenile, really came to himself at this year’s Dubai Carnival showing vastly improved form for three victories – and a short-head defeat – from four starts.

Following the defection of earlier this week of local star Rocket Man with a minor injury, Krypton Factor faces what looks a substandard field for the Sin$1m (£500,000) contest.

But he also faces significant question marks as he switches to turf after showing improved form on the artificial Tapeta strip at Meydan – and soft turf at that, whichmay well not suit him.

Krypton Factor also has a wide draw. “He’s a bit out – such is life,” said Nass, adding: “He didn’t eat much in the first couple of days here. “He’s lost a bit of weight but it’s nothing to worry about and he’s about as fit as I can get him.”

Among Krypton Factor’s opponents are the British-trained Secret Asset (Jane Chapple-Hyam/George Baker) and Invicible Ash(Mick Halford/Gary Carroll) from Ireland.

Both of them were well beaten behind Royal Ascot hope Ortensia in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night but Invincible Ash had scored earlier at Meydan.

The soft ground is a worry for him but it will suit Secret Asset, beaten only narrowly in last year’s Prix de l’Abbaye. He is also drawn on the inside rail in box one.

“It’s a very good draw and we’re very happy with that,” said trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam. “He’s normally quick out of the gates. That should allow us to box seat and save as much ground as possible on the bend.”

Even without Rocket Man the home team could have a say via the Michael Freedman pair Better Be The One (Joao Moreira) and three-year-old Mr Big (Stephen Baster), or perhaps Captain Obvious (Stephen Burridge/Oscar Chavex), who also tasted successin Dubai in January.

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Preview: Italy, Sunday 4.35pm BST

Capannelle: 129th Derby Italiano Better (Group 2) 1m3f, turf, 3yo colts fillies.

FRANKIE DETTORI returns to Italy on Sunday to partner the unbeaten Real Solution (Gianluca Bietolini), the Royal Ascot entry who is set to start hot favourite for the Derby Italiano in Rome.

Dettori, who has four rides on the card, has won the Derby Italiano twice before, on the Godolphin-owned pair Mukhalif in 1999 and Mastery in 2009. 

Unbeaten in three starts, Real Solution has won histwo races this year by an aggregate of 12 lengths and is likely to start at odds-on to claim the winner’s portion of the €550,000 prize fund.

He carries the colours of anglophile US owner Ken Ramsey, who has reportedly turned down offers of $2 million for the Kitten’s Joy colt, who is being aimed at the King Edward VII Stakes.

“Real Solution is uncomplicated – he usually sits just behind the pace before using his brilliant acceleration,”explained trainer Gianluca Bietolini. “I am pleased to have Frankie riding – the owners booked him.”

Real Solution had Teixidor (Ottavio di Paolo/Salvatore Sulas), Vola E Va (Bruno Grizzetti/Dario Vargu) and Wild Wolf (Stefano Botti/Umberto Rispoli) filling the next three places when romping to a five-length success in the Listed Premio Botticelli, a traditional Derby trial run last month over all but a half-furlong of this course and distance.

British jockey Robert Havlin has been booting home the winners in mainland Europe is recent months, with winners inGermany, Slovakia and Switzerland.

He teams up with German-trained Feuerblitz (Michael Figge), who beat all bar the highly rated Black Arrow in a recent Listed contest at Hanover and holds realistic hopes of being in the mix for a share of the prize-money.

Sopran Montieri (Bruno Grizzetti/Mirco Demuro) has won both his starts, a maiden race and a conditions event, and is ahalf-brother to the 2008 Derby Italiano winner Cima De Triomphe who went on to be trained by Luca Cumani.

Demuro said: “When I won on him last time out, the way he finished in the final 200 metres felt like a proper horse, one perfectly entitled to be in the Derby.” 

Giuseppe Botti won this year’s Premio Parioli (Italian 2,000 Guineas) with Malossol, a graduate from his French satellite yard, and December’s Deauville winner Herrbuga (Thomas Huet) hails from the same academy and connections expect him to leave behind this year’s form which has been achieved on unsuitably testing ground.

Also on Sunday

Capannelle: Premio Carlo d’Alessio (Group 3) 1m4f, turf, 4yo+ (2.40pm BST).

Dettori partners Frankenstein (Bruno Grizzetti) in the quest to land this €61,600 prize but this is a very competitive heat, with Branderburgo (Maurizio Grassi/Carlo Fiocchi), Cima De Pluie (Bruno Grizzetti/Dario Vargiu) and Lord Chaparral (Roberto Brogi/Umberto Rispoli) all capable of success in this grade.

The progressive Listed winner Pattaya (Stefano Botti/Fabio Branca) is expected to relish this extra furlong and a half as he bids to make it eight wins from 17 career starts.

Capannelle: Premio Tudoni (Group 3) 6f,turf, 3yo+ (5.10pm BST).

Dettori partners former Richard Hannon-trained Moustache (Devis Grilli), who reverts to sprinting after finishing fourth in the Premio Parioli (Italian 2,000 Guineas) and second in the Premio Pisa.

Rivals for this €61,600 prize include Amico Fritz (Henri-Alex Pantall/Fabrice Veron), a close sixth to Society Rock in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last year.

Capannelle: Premio Its Ex Tullio Righetti (Listed) 1m, turf, 3yo, 4.15pm BST.

Dettori also teams up with owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey here on Real Solution’s work companion Roma Kitten (Gianluca Bietolini).

Capannelle: Fegentri WCR Lady Rider – Premio Wind 1m 110yds, turf, 4yo+ (2.05pm BST)

British and Irish amateurs Hayley Moore (Mister Red Shine) and Lisa O’Neill (Gabby’s Brother) take on eight other female riders, including locally-based Jessica Marcialis (Wakeman) who currently leads the Fegentri lady riders competition, which takes in a number of races across the world throughout the year.

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Report: USA, Friday

Pimlico: Pimlico Special (Grade 3) 1m1½f, dirt, 3yo+

NO horse in America deserves a Grade 1 victory more than Alternation (Donnie von Hemel/Luis Quinonez), who completed a four-timer by nosing out last year’s Kentucky Derby runner-up Nehro in a head-bobber for the revived Pimlico Special.

Once regarded as one of the foremost races on the calendar in the older-horse ‘handicap’ division, the $300,000 event was making a welcome return after a four-year hiatus – albeit reduced to Grade 3 status owing to its absence.

Still, a race once graced by Seabiscuit, Whirlaway and Citation attracted a Grade 1-calibre field, in which 4-1 chance Alternation come off best in front of a crowd of 32,473 in Baltimore.

Alternation, a four-year-old son of Distorted Humor, took over from pacemaking Endorsement in deep stretch before just getting the better of Nehro (received 6lb) in a thrilling effort.

“Wow! That got a little bit tight there at the end,” said trainer Donnie von Hemel. “I didn’t know if we got it or not, but fortunately we gotthe bob. It looked like that 6lb was getting to him there at the end.

“All the superlatives you want to use, he’s that kind of horse. He’s a top horse, and I think he’s in the process of proving that right now. He beat a nice field at Oaklawn and a nice field here. He’s top of the list.”

Next up for the winner is a much deserved crack at Grade 1 company in the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs next month.

Also onFriday

Pimlico: Black-Eyed Susan (Grade 2) 1m1f, dirt, 3yo fillies

A memorable one-two here for trainer Todd Pletcher as In Lingerie (John Velazquez) comfortably held Disposablepleasure in this Pimlico’s version of the Oaks.

In Lingerie, a daughter of Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker, was sent off a 39-10 shot before wearing down front-running favourite Mamma Kimbo at thefurlong pole and then scoring by a length and a quarter as he stablemate rallied to take second.

“I think she made a big step forward to be one of the leaders of her division today,” said Pletcher.

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Went The Day Well: out to improve on fourth place in Kentucky Derby

  PICTURE: EquiSport Photos/Matt Wooley  

Barry Irwin, managing partner of the Team Valor syndicate, owner of Went The Day Well

“This horse, I think he could have won the Derby if he had broken right, but he didn’t. Once he broke bad, he caused himself a whole bunch of trouble. We have to make sure the horse gets out of the gate this time. If he does, I think we’ve got a good shot. This horse has an enormous amount of ability. He can really run. I think everybody saw it there, and hopefully we’ll see it again.”

Mike Harrington, trainer of Creative Cause

“Several people have asked me how come you came to the Preakness, like it was foolish for him to come. He’s beaten both those horses [I'll Have Another and Bodemeister] and he only got beat three lengths in the Derby, so why not come? He was tired the first few days after the Derby but now he’s back to his old self.”

Bob Baffert, trainer of Bodemeister

“He drew well in seven because in the Preakness you just don’t want to be stuck down on the inside, where you have to use your horse a little bit. It looks like he took to the track nicely and I am not seeing anything to make me think anything different about him. He bounced right out of the Derby. His weight has held. He can handle it. I was proud of him [in the Kentucky Derby]. When he cut the corner and opened up at the head of the stretch, I thought ‘maybe,’ but I could see at the eighth pole he was getting tired. He got beat a length and a half and held on for second. That was not disappointing. I enjoy watching him run – he’s a pretty tough horse. The horses that ran in the Derby are going to be the biggest threats. I really don’t know that much about the new shooters. I really haven’t looked at it. But when your horse is one dimensional it is hard to worry about your rivals.”

Scott Blasi, assistant to Steve Asmussen, trainer of Daddy Nose Best

“The horse was training so well going up to the Derby. The Derby is an event; this is more like a horse race. That’s why we thought he deserved another chance. He looks too good. He may not be good enough, but he may.”

Doug O’Neill, trainer of I’ll Have Another

“I thought the draw [in nine] was really good. I’m very happy with that. Being outside of the legitimate speed, most jockeys would be real happy with that. I’m confident. You never know, but as long as we continue to train like our horse has trained, we won’t be that far off Bodemeister. If Bodemeister is going to get an easy lead, we’ll just push him. If anything, Bodemeister might be behind us early. I could see him chasing us, I really could. I’m just hoping that anyone who bets Bodemeister is regretting it Saturday night.”

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Round two: I’ll Have Another (right) faces several of his Kentucky rivals

  PICTURE: EquiSport Photos/Matt Wooley  

Preview: USA, Saturday 11.18pm BST

Pimlico: Preakness Stakes (Grade 1) 1m1½f, dirt, 3yo

TWO weeks after a remarkable clashin the Kentucky Derby, I’ll Have Another and Bodemeister square off again for an eagerly anticipated rematch in the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore.

I’ll Have Another (Doug O’Neill/Mario Gutierrez) ran out a clear winner under his little-known Mexican rider at Churchill Downs, running down Bodemeister inside the final furlong to score by a length and a half and thereby extending his unbeaten record to three for 2012.

However, the bare result doesn’t tell the full story as Arkansas Derby winner Bodemeister (Bob Baffert/Mike Smith) set a series of sizzling fractions under pressure from the sprinter Trinniberg.

No such rival lies in wait at Pimlico for Saturday’s $1 million event, which is also run over a half-furlong shorter, which is probably why Bodemeister will almost certainly start favourite on the pari-mutuel.

Bodemeister’s trainer Bob Baffert certainly knows how to win the Preakness and is looking for his sixth victoryafter Silver Charm (1997), Real Quiet (1998), Point Given (2001), War Emblem (2002) and Lookin At Lucky (2010).

But it would surely be no surprise if Bodemeister’s lungbusting Derby effort left its mark – though his trainer avers otherwise – and the I’ll Have Another team will have no qualms about prompting him to go faster than he might like.

Bob Baffert: trains Bodemeister

  PICTURE: Horsephotos/NTRA  

Although the majority of interest is understandably focussing on the Kentucky Derby principals, four others come back for more after Churchill Downs headed by former British-trained Went The Day Well (Graham Motion/John Velazquez), who closed really well for fourth after a troubled trip.

Trainer Graham Motion is returning to the Preakness 12 months after watching his Derby winner Animal Kingdom losing out to Shackleford. When you come to the Preakness with a Derby winner, that’s cool,” Motion said.

“But I was still kind of shocked to see Shackleford’s picture on the grandstand when I drove in this morning. I kind of got a knot in the pit of my stomach.”

The others coming on from the Kentucky Derby are Creative Cause (fifth), Daddy Nose Best (tenth) and Optimizer (11^th).

The last-named represents the legendary D Wayne Lukas, who like Baffert has five Preakness wins to his name with Codex (1980), Tank’s Prospect (1985), Tabasco Cat (1994), Timber Country (1995), and Charismatic (1999).

Best of the five new shooters in Saturday’s contest is probably Wood Memorial third Teeth Of The Dog (Michael Matz/Joe Bravo).

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Italy: Worthadd’s owner Diego Romeo, whose horses run under the Scuderia Incolinx banner, is moving his Italian-based horses from trainer Endo Botti’s yard.

Romeo, for whom Worthadd scored for Sir Mark Prescott at Baden-Baden on Thursday, had placed 35 of his Italian-based horses with Botti at the end of last year when trainer Vittorio Caruso retired – they will now be trained by Raffaele Biondi and Cristiana Signorelli.

Botti said: “With time, differences between us and the owner about the management of the feedstock have transpired, which was making the job difficult. After one last talk on Monday night, we decided to close our relationship with absolute mutual respect.”

Bondi, whose string has been in very good form, said: “The first horses, about 15, should arrive on Saturday in Vittorio Caruso’s old stables.”

The Incolinx contingent joining Biondi will eventually total 26 horses, equally divided between two-year-olds and older horses.

Bondi added: “It is a great professional challenge, I am very happy to accept it and I want to thank Mr Romeo for this opportunity.

The advice of Vittorio Caruso will be very important. 
“The continuity with the old Incolinx team will be assured by head lad Piero Pirisi and vet Alessandra Vigliani now being part of my set-up.”

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Report: Australia, Saturday

Doomben: Doomben Cup (Group 1) 1m2f, turf, 3yo+

TRAINER Anthony Freedman had to sweat out a heated stewards’ room protest before confirming his first Group 1 winner with German import Mawingo (Nash Rawiller) in the Doomben Cup on Saturday.

Mawingo, a 7-1 shot, edged out the Peter Moody-trained Lights Of Heaven in the Brisbane feature with former Luca Cumani-trained Manighar, sent off odds-on favourite, a short neck away thurd.

Moody, who also trains Manighar, fired in an objection on behalf of the third for alleged interference on the first turn out of the straight prompting a heated battle in the stewards’ room.

“Near the post the first time Nash Rawiller showed no regard and nil care for my horse on the inside,” Moody said. “Rawiller showed no safety and the margin had no relevance in this situation.”

Freedman hit back declaring the protest was bordering on frivolous. “To me this is ambitious at most,” he said. “It may have cost Manighar a neck but the winning margin was significant.”

Rawiller, who rode Mawingo, then lashed out declaring the protest was the most “outlandish and frivolous protest” he had been involved in. Stewards deliberated for about five minutes before they dismissed the protest.

Freedman took over the family’s stable in Victoria when his Hall Of Fame trainer brother Lee relinquished his licence in August last year.

Lee Freedman has recently started a new venture in a training partnership with Graeme Rogerson in Sydney.

Anthony Freedman said Mawingo will now be targeted for the Caulfield Cup.

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Excelebration: made an impressive debut for Aidan O’Brien last month

  PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)  

TRAINER Aidan O’Brien said on Friday that Excelebration is all set to take on Frankel for a fourth time with the pair due to clash in the JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

Excelebration, as short as 5-2 with William Hill for the Group 1 contest, finished behind Frankel on three occasions last season when he was trained by Marco Botti but he looked in rude health when scoring on his debut for O’Brien last month.

The trainer is relishing the battle and said: “Everyone knows how good Frankel is and we’re delighted we have a horse good enough to compete against him.

“Marco Botti did a very good job with Excelebration last year and now the horse is a year older and is stronger we’re looking forward to letting him take his chance.

“We were delighted with the way he won the Gladness Stakeslast month. He was very relaxed and quickened up really well. He’s been fine since and is all set.”

O’Brien will also run last time out winner Windsor Palace in Saturday’s race.

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Rapid Redux: humble gelding won special Eclipse Award for achievements

  PICTURE: NTRA  

USA: The remarkable record-breaking gelding Rapid Redux will never get the chance to match the all-time US winning streak for consecutive victories after connections decided to retire him without another race.

The spit-and-sawdust superstar, whose winning streak of 22 represents a new mark for consecutive US victories since 1900, has been off the track for more than four months since his most recent victory at Laurel on January 4.

But instead of coming back in a bid to match Leviathan, who won 23 successive races between 1797 and 1801, Rapid Redux is to be retired next week to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

“He’s perfect right now and we want him to stay that way,” said the six-year-old’s owner Robert Cole, speaking to the Baltimore Sun. “Why risk having him get beat?”

Cole claimed front-running Rapid Redux, whose exploits earned a Special Eclipse Award for 2011, for just $6,250 at Penn National in October 2010.

Since that date he has won he has won 24 of his 25 races, scoring at seven different tracks at distances from 5f to 1m1f.

Trained by Penn National-based David Wells, Rapid Redux habitually competed in cheap, low-grade starter-allowance races on the low-tier mid-Atlantic circuit.

Kept to this milieu, he won all 19 of his starts last year to match the feat of the Triple Crown winner Citation in 1948. During that sequence, he also surpassed modern-day US record mark of 19 straight wins achieved by Zenyatta and Peppers Pride.

Rapid Redux’s winning streak of 22 is the highest in North America since Camarero set his world record of 56 in Puerto Rico between 1953 and 1955.

Wells added: “I’ve been taking him out, hand walking him, to eat grass. He’s fine, but he ran hard and he’s not quite the same horse, to be honest. He gave us a really fun ride, and I’m glad he’s healthy and we’re letting him go out on top.”

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