Divining Rod Breezes for Preakness
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Lael Stables' Divining Rod worked an easy half-mile in :51 3/5 at Fair Hill Training Center the morning of May 9 in preparation for a scheduled start in the May 16 Preakness Stakes (gr. I).
Trainer Arnaud Delacour said the four-furlong work at the Elkton, Md. facility went according to plan.
"He just stretched his legs out there and that's kind of what we wanted. He had a good breeze last week," Delacour said. "Everything has been going well with him. He's happy and came back in good shape."
Gretchen and Roy Jackson, who bred and own the Tapit colt, watched the work during their weekly visit to Fair Hill.
Delacour said the winner of the April 11 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland in his most recent start is ready for the Preakness.
"I am happy with him," Delacour said. "It's been a pretty uncomplicated preparation. We've had no setbacks, no major issues, so I feel good about it. Of course, it's a big race. It's a step up. It's not an easy race, but as far as the preparations and the way he looks, I'm very happy with everything."
Delacour said he is looking forward to his first Preakness.
"It's fun to be able to be a part of it," he said. "We're going to enjoy the day, try to give our best shot and hopefully have a good outcome."
The Jacksons and Delacour are in the process of securing a jockey for Divining Rod, who was ridden in the Lexington by Julien Leparoux. Leparoux will be aboard Danzig Moon in the Preakness.