Times wires
Friday, May 20, 2011
BALTIMORE — Four years ago trainer Steve Asmussen won the Preakness Stakes with Curlin, a lightly raced colt who developed into a two-time horse of the year. Two years ago, he won with horse of the year Rachel Alexandra, the first filly to win the Preakness since Nellie Morse in 1924.
Asmussen will try again today at Pimlico, this time with Astrology, who drew the rail and was 15-1 on the morning line.
Sickness cost Astrology a month of training, prompting a decision to skip the Kentucky Derby.
"He has the right pedigree, and the right look, and he needs to win the right race," Asmussen said.
FEELING MACHO: Trainer Kathy Ritvo is doing the talking for Mucho Macho Man.
"I think he'll be sharper, more aggressive," Ritvo said. "He seems to get along at any racetrack, any surface. Bring it on. He's ready."
Mucho Macho Man finished third to Animal Kingdom in the Kentucky Derby.
Black-Eyed Susan: Royal Delta rallied to beat Buster's Ready by 2½ lengths Friday in the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Pimlico Race Course. Jose Lezcano was aboard for trainer Bill Mott as Royal Delta got her third win in four starts. Fourth early on, Royal Delta came off the rail to score her first stakes win.
To stud: Archarcharch, the colt who had surgery after injuring his left front ankle in the Kentucky Derby, left Churchill Downs for Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Ky., where he will stand at stud next year.