Epicenter Breezes; Fenwick Enters Preakness Field

Winchell Thoroughbreds' Epicenter, the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) runner-up and expected favorite for the May 21 Preakness Stakes (G1), breezed an easy half-mile in :50 2/5 seconds early Monday morning at Churchill Downs, a textbook workout for a Steve Asmussen-trained horse five days before a race. "We just gave him an easy half-mile nine days off of the Derby," Asmussen said shortly after the workout. "Obviously, we're very happy how Epicenter came out of the Derby. He's consistently been a sound horse and heads up to Baltimore early (Tuesday) morning." The Hall of Fame trainer said Epicenter and his other Pimlico Race Course-bound horses will leave between 3-4 a.m. in order to avoid morning rush hour leaving Kentucky and afternoon rush hour arriving in Baltimore. Daniel Alonso's Skippylongstocking arrived at Pimlico at 6:30 a.m. Monday by van following a 15-hour journey from Palm Meadows, Gulfstream Park's satellite training facility in Palm Beach County, Fla "He traveled well, so all is well, so far," said trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., who arrived in Baltimore late Monday night. "He'll go to the track tomorrow." Skippylongstocking, a son of 2016 Preakness winner Exaggerator is coming off a third-place finish behind Mo Donegal and Early Voting, respectively, in the April 9 Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack. He breezed a sharp five-furlongs May 13 in :59 3/5 at Palm Meadows. Fenwick Enters Into Preakness Picture Villa Rosa Farm and Harlo Stable's Fenwick was entered in the Preakness Monday morning. The son of Curlin was also being considered for the $100,000 Sir Barton Stakes on Pimlico's May 21 card. Trained by Kevin McKathan, Fenwick most recently finished last in his stakes debut in the April 9 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland after graduating with a front-running 5 1/4-length victory at Tampa Bay Downs. "We think he should have run well in the Blue Grass," said Villa Rosa Farm's Jeremia Rudan, an Ontario businessman. "He broke a step slow. He got cut off on the corner. The jock sat down on him for about 10 seconds. He's the kind of horse who needs to be free to run. He didn't get that chance. I'm not saying he would have won, but if he had made that hole on the first turn, it might have been a different race. "He's happy; he's sound. The way the Preakness is lining up, there's no reason not to give it a shot," he added.