What might that mean for Heart of Honor in the Preakness Stakes?
It means he might do well at the Preakness Stakes distance of 1 3/16 miles and that he’s well-rested. Sort of. The bay colt has been piling up the air miles since – from Dubai to England to Churchill Downs, where he’ll be quarantined for a few days, and then he’ll be vanned to Pimlico Race Course by Tuesday for the May 17 race.
Trainer Jamie Osborne admits Heart of Honor needs to step up for a chance in the Preakness Stakes, but the colt has never finished worse than second in six career starts. He debuted in England with a runner-up finish and ran his next five races in Dubai.
“Initially, after the UAE Derby, I thought that the horse may well need a break. He’d had five runs in Dubai. But when he got off the plane, he told me he wasn’t ready for a break,’’ said Osborne. “He’s thrived since he’s been back. He’s a hardy kind of horse.
“With that in mind, we thought this was worth a shot. He’s only 3 once. There’s nothing in the UK for him. So, the alternative was to give him a break, a long-extended break, and wait for next year’s Middle East season when we go back to Dubai.”
A good effort would likely keep the colt in America for the Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 7.
Heart of Honor was equipped with blinkers in the UAE Derby and will wear them in the Preakness.
“He did travel more generously with them on,’’ said Osborne. “Prior to that, he was being a little bit lazy. He was getting behind. He lost a couple of races in Dubai by getting a little bit too far behind and staying on a bit too late.”
Preakness Stakes Betting Advice
A win seems unlikely in his first race in America, but he’s been first or second in all six starts. Not this time. No bet.
Notes: Jockey Saffie Osborne is the trainer’s 23-year-old daughter. She rode Heart of Honor in the UAE Derby. This will be Osborne’s first Preakness runner. Heart of Honor qualified for the Derby with his second-place finish in the UAE Derby, but the decision was made to skip the race. Only two foreign-bred breds have won the Preakness – England’s War Cloud in 1918 and Canada’s Northern Dancer in 1964.
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