Concert Tour to Bypass KY Derby in Favor of Preakness
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Photo: Coady Photography
Concert Tour wins the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park
Gary and Mary West's homebred Concert Tour will bypass the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) with an eye on the May 15 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert told Churchill Downs April 17.
"Concert out. Wait for Preakness," Baffert texted Churchill officials Saturday morning regarding the son of Street Sense . Concert Tour finished third, beaten 2 1/2 lengths, as the favorite in the April 10 Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park.
The bay colt came into the Arkansas Derby on a three-race win streak, having broken his maiden Jan. 15 at Santa Anita Park en route to victories in the Feb. 6 San Vicente Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita and March 13 Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn.
Concert Tour had ranked ninth on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 70 points. His departure puts Bernard Racing, Tagg Team Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds' O Besos into the 20-horse field for trainer Greg Foley. The son of Orb is an allowance winner who finished fourth in the Feb. 13 Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford (G2) and third in the March 20 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2), both at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.