Two Weeks’ Rest? No Problem for Baffert, Lukas

At a time when the coaches stop to run their horses in a brief amount of rest, the members of the Bob Buffert and D. Wayne Lukas Hall are the gold standard when it comes to running and winning the snacks (G1) in two weeks of rest.

Baffert has the record with eight preakness and Lukas victories is fine with seven.

Of those 15 winners, 13 or they ran in two weeks of rest and 12 of them ran in the Kentucky derby (G1).

Last year, Lukas, at the age of 88, won the praks with Take advantage of gray Who comes a victory in Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2) two weeks before on the Kentucky Derby Day billboard in Churchill Downs.

“I’m fine running in two weeks of rest,” Baffert said. “Many coaches do not like to run with that child or rest. They see it as difficult. I don’t.”

It is not surprising that Baffert and Lukas are now in Pimlico career course For the 150 edition of the $ 2 million preakness on May 17, each with a horse that has … yes, two weeks of rest.

Baffert will be sent Objective oriented Who won an optional assignment claimant of May 3 in Churchill Downs. Meanwhile, Lukas will be sad American promise Who was 16th two weeks ago at the Kentucky derby of May 3.

“It seems surprising that you have 26 types stumbling to enter Kentucky’s derby, then only one or two go to the preakness,” Lukas said. “But that is the mentality of the owners and coaches these days.”

An important story in the preakness is the absence of Kentucky derby winner Sovereignty In Baltimore. Coach Bill Mott and Godolphin’s property team announced last week that the son of In the mischief The average jewel of the triple crown was jumping in the last one, the Belmont bets of June 7 (G1). When announcing the decision, the coach of the Hall of Fame, Bill Mott, mentioned that he was against the race in the preakness in two weeks of rest because to “look in the long term and (sovereignty) the entire race.”

Both Baffert and Lukas disagree with the notion of running in the Derby and Preakness will have a negative impact on the race or longevity of a horse.

“Pharoah American He was well after the triple crown, “Baffert said about his winner of the three classics in 2015 in a period of five weeks.” I could have easily directed at 4 years. He was getting well. “

Lukas said: “I don’t buy it at all to knock out a horse. Many have done it and have had good races. You are not renouncing one on the other.”

When sovereignty became the third winner of the Kentucky derby since 2019 to omit the Preakness, he also resurrected an old debate about the five -week space for the three triple Crowns races.

Baffert, twice winner of the Triple Corona, said the current system is fine with it.

“Winning the triple crown is feasible. You saw it with American Pharoah and Justify (2018), “he said.” You just need a really superior horse. “

Baffert also said that he will not baffle him if space is increased.

“I’m fine with whatever they want,” he said. “Maybe they can take it to Santa Anita. You don’t need a waterproof. You can work in your tan.”

Trainer Michael McCarthy, who directs the favorite of the morning line Journalism At the break of two weeks after a second place in the Kentucky derby, he said he is in favor of maintaining the current five -week structure.

“I think it’s good. It’s demanding. It is me to separate the greats. I think it captivates the average observer during the five weeks.

“Sometimes there are some great stories involved,” said McCarthy, who won the 2021 preakness with a new shooter Rombauer Outside the six -week break. “I can be a traditionalist, but I think the three races in five weeks are good.”