Golden Tempo Ships Back to Keeneland, Preakness Remains a Possibility

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Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable's Golden Tempo (Curlin) shipped back to Keeneland Sunday morning, a day after his dramatic late-running victory in the GI Kentucky Derby. Connections will be taking a wait-and-see approach to his participation in the May 16 GI Preakness Stakes, trainer Cherie DeVaux confirmed Sunday.DeVaux made an emotional first stop the morning after the Derby at the former Churchill Downs barn of the late trainer Chuck Simon, a full-circle moment after the biggest win of her career.“He meant a lot to me and my career,” DeVaux said. “To come back here after something like this, it's really special. We all miss Chuck, but I'm sure he's watching over us. He would've loved this.”DeVaux was still taking in the milestone victory after celebrating Saturday night with family and friends.“I'm so overwhelmed right now,” DeVaux said. “I'm so proud of Golden Tempo. Really proud of Jose Ortiz. I'm so grateful to everyone involved.”Robert and Lawana Low and Repole Stable's Renegade (Into Mischief), who made a big late run but came up just a neck short in the Derby, was doing fine at trainer Todd Pletcher's Barn 39 Sunday morning.“He came back in good order,” Pletcher said. “Tough beat.”Renegade was bumped and pushed sideways at the start of the Derby, then was shuffled back to 15th in the early going under regular rider Irad Ortiz Jr. The two gradually moved forward, then swung wide on the far turn and came running very wide through the lane and had to deal with another bump nearing the three-sixteenths, carried on and looked like a winner in the last 100 yards, but couldn't resist the outside charge of Derby hero Golden Tempo.Pletcher indicated that the bay colt would head up to Saratoga with many of his other Kentucky horses.“We're going Tuesday,” he said.Ocelli (Connect), who rallied from off the pace as the longest shot in the race to put his head in front at the sixteenth pole, was doing fine at trainer Whit Beckman's barn Sunday morning.“Unreal,” Beckman said of the maiden's third-place effort. “Getting that feeling, even for a moment, makes all the work worth it. We won't stop until we win that race.”Mike and Kay Kay Ball's Chief Wallabee (Constitution) likely will ship to Saratoga in the coming days, along with 2025 Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty and several other horses trained by Bill Mott.In just his fourth start, Chief Wallabee was sent off as the fifth choice in the Derby.“I thought he ran a very courageous race,” Mott said. “He got bumped at midstretch and still came on to get fourth. It was very courageous and he was still trying. The race was as good as it looked and maybe a little better.”Plans going forward are to be determined, but they do not include a trip to Maryland for the Preakness at Laurel in two weeks.“Nobody talks about the Preakness,” Mott said. “The Belmont at Saratoga; we need to discuss that. Kay Kay was thrilled with the way he ran yesterday. He has done a lot since the first of the year.”Danox Co. Ltd.'s Danon Bourbon (Maxfield), who took the lead in midstretch before tiring late to finish fifth, is scheduled to return to Japan early this week.“Everything had gone well with his preparation here, and he handled the paddock and gate very professionally,” trainer Manabu Ikezoe said. “The plan was to be forward without having to make the lead, and he was able to do that. He's still only three and showed he can compete at this level. There's more to come from him.”Also shipping back to Japan this week is Wonder Dean (Jpn) (Dee Majesty {Jpn}), who finished eighth in the Derby.“He broke well and put himself in a good position, but he took some bumping around the turn,” trainer Daisuke Takayanagi said. “Even so, he kept trying all the way to the wire. He's matured a lot through these experiences, and we still believe there's improvement ahead.”Wathnan Racing's Commandment (Into Mischief) (7th) and Spendthrift Farm's Further Ado (Gun Runner) (11th) were doing well Sunday, according to trainer Brad Cox.“It's obviously disappointing, but both horses came back in good order,” Cox said. “They showed up and ran their race, and they'll fight another day.”Trainer Riley Mott's first two Kentucky Derby starters, Albus (Yaupon) (15th) and Incredibolt (Bolt d'Oro) (6th), exited Saturday's race in good order.“They both looked good this morning, jogging up sound and clean-legged,” Mott said. “We will monitor them over the next week or so and make plans with the Pin Oak Stud team.”Trainer John Ennis reported Great White (Volatile), who was scratched from the Derby after rearing up and flipping at the gate, was in good condition Sunday.“He's doing fine,” Ennis said. “Tough game, but we're thankful he came out of it OK.”The post Golden Tempo Ships Back to Keeneland, Preakness Remains a Possibility appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.