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Heart of Honour is being aimed at the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, with British trainer Jamie Osborne confirming the UAE Derby runner-up will travel to America this week.
Speaking from his Lambourn base yesterday, Osborne revealed his charge is set to ship on Wednesday to begin preparations for the second leg of the American Triple Crown.
"He has to quarantine at Churchill. It's a bit of a pain," said Osborne, whose stable is located an hour from London. "He's going to van to Pimlico on Monday. He'll be on the track at Pimlico on Tuesday morning."
The Jim and Claire-owned son of Honor A. P. has been competing at Meydan Racecourse after making his debut with a second-place finish at Southwell on the all-weather. His most notable performance came when finishing a nose second to Japan's Admire Daytona in the 1 3/16-mile Gr.2 UAE Derby in early April.
"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. He's thrived since he's been back. He's a hardy kind of horse," Osborne said.
The decision to target the Preakness came after connections ruled out the Kentucky Derby due to timing constraints.
"With that in mind, we thought this was worth a shot. He's only 3 once. There's nothing in the U.K. 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," Osborne explained.
"The Kentucky Derby was clearly going to be too soon for him. Logistically, it was going to be nearly impossible to ship from Dubai back here and then to America," he added. "The extra couple of weeks will probably be to our benefit, as well. We're going to have a go, and if he runs OK in the Preakness, the aim is to hang on for another three weeks and go to Saratoga."
Heart of Honour wore blinkers for the first time in the UAE Derby, a move that his trainer believes improved his performance.
"He did travel more generously with them on, and he will wear them in the Preakness," Osborne said. "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."
The 57-year-old trainer has been pleased with his colt's development, adding: "I think this horse, in what he's achieved so far, has to step up, but I think there's a chance that he can step up. He's a horse that seems to be maturing and coming around this time of year."
Heart of Honour will be ridden by Saffie Osborne, the trainer's 23-year-old daughter who was aboard for the UAE Derby.
Kentucky Derby runner-up Journalism has been walking at Churchill Downs, with assistant trainer Justin Curran reporting: "He came out of the race great—has good energy and is eating. He looks like a happy horse."
Connections are expected to make a decision on the Preakness in the coming days, with trainer Michael McCarthy due to return to Louisville this weekend.
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen worked Clever Again over five furlongs in 1:01 3/5 at Churchill Downs yesterday after three days of delay due to track conditions.
"A work scheduled for Saturday has now happened on Tuesday," Asmussen said. "The horse obviously has plenty of talent. He's very kind, manageable. Jose loved how he felt today, how he galloped out. Very happy to get this work in him."
The son of American Pharoah is likely to work again on 12 May before travelling to Pimlico the following day.
Meanwhile, Bob Baffert is aiming for a record-extending ninth Preakness victory with Rodriguez. The Wood Memorial winner was withdrawn from the Derby with a minor foot issue but has been galloping at Churchill Downs.
"We're going to breeze this weekend, and then ship to Pimlico," Baffert said.
American Promise, who finished 16th in the Kentucky Derby, is expected to resume training tomorrow at Churchill Downs. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas confirmed Nik Juarez will keep the ride on the son of Justify as he seeks his eighth Preakness victory.
"He's back into the feed tub, doing well," Lukas said. "He bounced back very well."
Brendan Walsh reported that Lexington Stakes winner Gosger will work either Thursday or Friday at Keeneland, with a Preakness decision to follow.