Preakness contenders gallop at Churchill

"Coming out of a big race like the Derby, you don't have to do too much. It

is just a matter of keeping them at the same level," Baffert said. "The good

horses are easier to train. These two are used to running a lot and coming back

in two weeks is not a big concern with them."

American Pharoah was partnered Monday morning as usual by Jorge Alvarez.

Both colts are scheduled to gallop Tuesday morning and will train Wednesday

before loading for the short van ride to Louisville International Airport and a

Tex Sutton charter to Baltimore, one of two such flights scheduled that day.

Firing Line (Line of David), the Kentucky Derby runner-up, joined the

Baffert-trained Preakness contenders on the Churchill track Monday morning.

Trained by Simon Callaghan, Firing Line stood at the six-furlong gap for a

few minutes before backtracking to the front side. Under exercise rider Humberto

Gomez, Firing Line galloped 1 1/2 miles with the final half of the exercise

being an open gallop similar to Sunday's exercise.

"It was the same thing as yesterday; maybe a little slower," Gomez said.

Carlos Santamaria, who is overseeing the colt's preparations in Louisville

while Callaghan is at his Santa Anita base, continued to give off good vibes

about the colt who has compiled a 6-2-4-0 record in his career.

"He has been galloping good and eating well and very happy with the last two

days," Santamaria said. "I know he has a lot of heart and will give his best to

the end (like he did in the Derby)."

Santamaria said Firing Line is scheduled to have a regular gallop Tuesday but

likely would not train Wednesday morning before shipping to Baltimore where he

will be trying to reverse a negative trend regarding Derby runners-up in the

Preakness.

Since 1960, only three horses that ran second in the Run for the Roses took

the Preakness. They were Bally Ache (1960), Summer Squall (1990) and Prairie

Bayou (1993).

"We have a better gauge since he has faced these horses already," said Norman

Casse, assistant to his father. "They were better than he was on Derby Day, but

we feel that he is getting better all the time."

Danzig Moon is scheduled to gallop the next two mornings and ship to

Baltimore Wednesday.

Tale of Verve (Tale of the Cat) walked the shedrow a day after working five

furlongs in company in 1:00 2/5.

"This fits right into our schedule," trainer Dallas Stewart said of the walk

day. "He'll train Tuesday and Wednesday and fly Wednesday and won't miss a

beat."

Meanwhile, at Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, Maryland, Lexington (G3)

winner Divining Rod (Tapit) galloped in preparation for the Preakness.

"He's doing very well. I think he came back in good shape from his breeze. He

galloped this morning and looked very good," said trainer Arnaud Delacour, whose

colt breezed four furlongs in :51 3/5 Saturday.

In other Preakness news:

Trainer Todd Pletcher reported Monday that he'll be prepared to make a

decision on the Preakness status of Florida Derby (G1) winner Materiality

(Afleet Alex) on Tuesday.

Materiality, who entered the Derby undefeated in three starts, got away last

from the starting gate and was forced to race wide before closing strongly to

finish sixth.

Daily Racing Form reported Monday that the Pletcher-trained Blue Grass

(G1) winner Carpe Diem (Giant's Causeway), 10th in the Derby, would bypass the

Preakness and await the Belmont S. (G1) on June 6.

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com