Trio of Preakness Contenders Work at Churchill Downs

Preakness Stakes (G1) contenders Owendale, Signalman, and Warrior's Charge topped Churchill Downs' work tab the morning of May 11 as the trio put in their final preparations for the second jewel in racing's Triple Crown May 18 at Pimlico Race Course.

Rupp Racing's Stonestreet Lexington Stakes (G3) winner Owendale was the first Preakness contender to breeze Saturday at 5:30 a.m. ET and recorded a five-furlong bullet move in :59 1/5—the fastest of 31 at the distance. Trained by Brad Cox, Owendale clipped through splits of :12 2/5, :24, and :46 4/5 before he galloped out six furlongs in 1:12 1/5, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols. 

About five minutes later, Owendale's stablemate Warrior's Charge, an allowance winner owned by Ten Strike Racing and Madaket Stables, worked five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 through fractions of :12 3/5, :24 3/5, and :48 3/5 before a gallop out to six furlongs in 1:13 1/5, according to Nichols.

Warrior's Charge will be supplemented to the Preakness for a $150,000 fee.

"The track was really good this morning," said Cox, who was joined on the Stakes Room balcony by eight clients and friends. "I think both horses are ready to roll. Owendale has been doing phenomenal following the Lexington. He has that built in foundation from the race that will suit him well in the Preakness.

"Warrior's Charge should be able to handle the extra distance and is showing us he's on an upward trend. That's why we decided to supplement him. He didn't run in any of the Derby preps, so he had some time to develop and grow into himself."

About two hours later, Tommie Lewis, Steve Crabtree, Dean Demaree, David Bernsen, Jim Chambers, and Magdalena Racing's Signalman breezed a half-mile in :47 3/5 in company with Indian Counselor, who was timed in :48.

Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. was aboard Signalman for the work and is scheduled to ride in the Preakness.  

A total of seven contenders for the Preakness are based at Churchill Downs, including a trio of runners from the May 4 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1): Improbable (4th), War of Will (7th), and Bodexpress (13th). 

Oaklawn Invitational Stakes winner Laughing Fox, based in Steve Asmussen's Barn 38 beneath the Twin Spires, is also a likely entrant for the Preakness.

Also on the work tab Saturday, albeit at Golden Gate Fields, Preakness contender Anothertwistafate went six furlongs in 1:14 1/5 for trainer Blaine Wright on the all-weather surface at the California track. The work was fastest of eight at the distance on the day.