After Passing on Derby, Ward Enjoying Preakness Ride With Pablo Del Monte
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Pablo Del Monte, above training at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md., will try to use his speed to his advantage on Saturday in the Preakness Stakes. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)
By Tom Pedulla, America’s Best Racing
BALTIMORE – Who would pass on the chance to run a horse in the Kentucky Derby? It is, after all, the race of everyone’s dreams, whether that person be a breeder, owner, trainer or jockey.
As injuries began to mount on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, Wesley Ward, breeder, trainer and part owner of Pablo Del Monte, began to catch Derby fever as his horse gradually moved up the leaderboard based on points earned in prep races.
When post positions for the opening leg of the Triple Crown were drawn, Pablo Del Monte found himself 21st in the standings, good enough to be on the also-eligible list but not to qualify for the full 20-horse field. When Santa Anita Derby runner-up Hoppertunity was scratched the next morning, the connections of Pablo Del Monte found themselves facing an unexpected and perhaps unexpectedly difficult decision.
As much as Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor and Ward wanted their horse to run for the roses, what were the chances he could win from farthest outside in post 20? Given that the horse’s style is to run on or close to the lead, surely the rider would have to summon that speed early. How much would be left late at the end of the grueling 1 ¼-mile classic?
While their hearts screamed for them to run in the Derby, their minds persuaded them that their bid for success in a Triple Crown race should wait for a smaller field in the Preakness, the prospect of a better post position and a Pimlico Race Course surface that typically favors speed horses like Pablo Del Monte.
Ward was looking at a three-week gap between his horse’s third-place finish in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes and the Derby. He views the five-week spacing to the Preakness as ideal.
“Five weeks is perfect for me from race to race for any horse,” Ward said. “He should run his best possible race.”
He can only hope time will be a powerful ally after watching California Chrome take command at the top of the stretch and ease across the finish line as a 1 ¾-length winner for Victor Espinoza in the Derby.
“I certainly don’t wish anyone any bad racing luck,” Ward said. “But, that being said, five weeks against two weeks, you’d certainly want to be in the position that I’m in right now as far as timing-wise.”
Pablo Del Monte ran an encouraging third in the Blue Grass on the synthetic Polytrack surface at Keeneland Race Course, showing the way for much of the 1 1/8-mile contest before deep closers Dance With Fate and Medal Count swept past.
PABLO DEL MONTE IN FRONT IN EARLY STAGES OF BLUE GRASS
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
Since Espinoza was aboard Pablo Del Monte for that race, his connections needed another rider and they settled on Jeffrey Sanchez.
“Jeffrey Sanchez has been on the horse in the mornings and he’s done a lot of work for me over the years,” Ward said. “He’s ridden some big wins for me, and he’s just a wonderful, hard-trying young guy who needs a big chance.”
Ward bred Pablo Del Monte in Florida, sending the mare One Hot Wish, primarily a turf sprinter, to Giant’s Causeway, known for his ability to handle distance. After everything that transpired, he now has a serious case of Preakness fever.
“To actually have a horse that I bred and raised on my place, foaled right on my place and to get to this point is just unbelievable,” Ward said.
$1.5-million Preakness Stakes
Saturday, Pimlico, Race 12, Post Time 6:20p.m. ET.
1 3/16 miles, dirt, 3-year-olds
Television: NBC coverage begins at 4:30 p.m. ET
Post
Horse
Jockey
Trainer
Odds
1
Dynamic Impact
Miguel Mena
Mark Casse
12-1
2
General a Rod
Javier Castellano
Mike Maker
15-1
3
California Chrome
Victor Espinoza
Art Sherman
3-5
4
Ring Weekend
Alan Garcia
Graham Motion
20-1
5
Bayern
Rosie Napravnik
Bob Baffert
10-1
6
Ria Antonia
Calvin Borel
Tom Amoss
30-1
7
Kid Cruz
Julian Pimentel
Linda Rice
20-1
8
Social Inclusion
Luis Contreras
Manny Azpurua
5-1
9
Pablo Del Monte
Jeffrey Sanchez
Wesley Ward
20-1
10
Ride On Curlin
Joel Rosario
William Gowan
10-1