Epicenter, Secret Oath Confirmed for Preakness

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Epicenter, Secret Oath Confirmed for Preakness
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Photo: Skip Dickstein
Horses head out in the early morning hours at Churchill Downs

Barring defections from the prospective lineup, the 147th Preakness Stakes (G1) will feature a rematch between Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) upset victor Rich Strike  and favored Epicenter , who was caught in the final strides by the 80-1 longshot. A new factor comes into play with Secret Oath  set to dive in against the boys after her Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) triumph May 6.

David Fiske, Winchell Thoroughbreds' longtime bloodstock manager, confirmed after speaking with trainer Steve Asmussen Wednesday morning that Epicenter will run in the May 21 Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown at historic Pimlico Race Course. The Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) winner returned to the track May 11 at Churchill Downs, with Asmussen liking what he saw as Epicenter jogged and galloped under Roberto Howell.

Plans call for Epicenter to work an easy half-mile May 16 and van to Pimlico the following day.

"Steve said he was really pleased with how he went back to the track this morning," Fiske said. "He said he looked great. I mean, we were going. It was just that (Epicenter) needed to tell us that he wanted to go.

"I thought he traveled well," he said of Epicenter's first day back training. "Roberto said he was himself, more of the same. Being himself is a good thing. I thought he took the Derby really well. He laid down like he normally does. He's been nice and relaxed."

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Secret Oath Confirmed for Preakness 

Briland Farm's homebred Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath has been confirmed for the Preakness, a race Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has won six times, according to a tweet from the operators of Pimlico. 

Lukas, who won his first of four Kentucky Derbys with the filly Winning Colors in 1988, said Secret Oath is training well and "out there playing" following her Oaks win.

"Epicenter will be difficult. He's a legitimate favorite. He's a very good horse. Nobody can go over there and think they'll just run by him. He is going to be awfully tough to beat. You are taking a shot if you take him on," Lukas said.

Secret Oath jogged a lap around Churchill Downs and then jogged more in the track's mile chute Wednesday morning under Danielle Rosier.

The Arrogate filly faced males earlier this spring, finishing third in the Arkansas Derby with a wide trip.

Brown Weighs Preakness Options

Trainer Chad Brown has not decided whether he will have one or two runners in the Preakness. Klaravich Stables' Early Voting  is on course for the 1 3/16-mile race, while Brown said that he is still considering a run with Zandon , who was third in the Derby.

Zandon arrived at Brown's barn at Belmont Park May 10 after traveling from Kentucky. The four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer said he will watch the horse on the track this week before deciding over the weekend whether to enter the Preakness.