After having to deal with the lunatic fan during the running of the Maryland Breeders’ Cup at Pimlico on Preakness Day, Artax is now only a remote possibility to run in the Met Mile.
“I noticed that something was wrong when he was turning for home,” said trainer Louis Albertrani. “Chavez snatched his head and took him back. He almost jammed into the horse to his inside. Artax strained his ankle, but the X-rays have revealed that everything is OK.
“He’s nominated to the Metropolitan Handicap Mile, but the chances of him running in the Met Mile and slight and slim. It’s disappointing because he seems to be getting better with every start. If we decide that he’s ready to go in the Met Mile, then we’ll probably work him two or three days from now.”
2ND RACE – J. Carson broke on top but then let Prospectors Blues set the pace. Then J. Carson’s entrymate, Big Steel, who was last early, made a strong move into the turn, coming from last and challenging for the lead. Big Steel had the lead at the top of the stretch, but then J. Carson was closing strong and blew right by and rolled to an easy score. Peak’s Sweep acted up in the paddock and kicked the outer railing while being saddled. But he settled down and eventually saddled.
4TH RACE – Angel in de Skies dumped jockey Shaun Bridgmohan in the post parade and ran off around the clubhouse turn, midway down the backstretch then into the chute. Eventually she ran to the training track and barn area. She was a late scratch. Summer Mist rated nicely and made a move towards the leaders around the far turn. Hit The Board moved with Summer Mist and at the stretch he pulled away for an easy victory.
5TH RACE – For the second race in a row, Studdly Stavros did not break with the field. This time he eventually went out but spotted the field many lengths. He was going off at 8-1 today. We hope the horse gets some major time in the starting gate so the next time he runs people can get a fair run for the money. Tap’s Star checked hard into the clubhouse turn and was shuffled back. Sopo Grande rated well while saving ground but had no room to run in the stretch drive and was never a factor. Ssssosa swept to the front six wide around the far turn, and then once he changed to the right lead, had clear sailing and won easily.
6TH RACE – Woodman’s Rainbow bore in at the start and forced Hip Happy Hip and Inallprobability to check at the break. Mt. Arrow set a slow pace of :25 and Heinsohn was stalking behind. They were on even terms and Heinsohn won the hard fought stretch drive. Santoni tried to close off the slow pace but could do no better than third.
7TH RACE – While the field was standing in the gate, Shiki reared up and knocked Aaron Gryder to the ground. She then kept rearing, turning around in the gate and then climbed out of the gate from the rear while the gate was still closed. She was immediately scratched. Nice job by the starting crew to protect Gryder from harm’s way and do whatever they could to protect Shiki and the horses around her. Terreavigne had what looked to be a perfect trip and was moving well in the stretch. But Pat Day on Perfect Sting had plenty of horse left and won the stretch duel in a photo over Terreavigne.