PREAKNESS PROFILE: ROMBAUER
El Camino Real Derby winner Rombauer secured his Preakness spot back in February with that narrow triumph, and his follow-up, a third-place finish in the Blue Grass behind champion Essential Quality, wasn’t bad either.
It will be the first Preakness start for both trainer Michael McCarthy and jockey Flavien Prat.
6. ROMBAUER (12-1)
- TRAINER: MICHAEL MCCARTHY
- JOCKEY: FLAVIEN PRAT
- LIFETIME RECORD: 6-2-1-1
- MOST RECENT RACE: 3RD, GRADE II BLUE GRASS STAKES
GQ SAYS
Rombauer earned a fees-paid berth to the Preakness Stakes by winning the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields, a Stronach-owned track as is Pimlico. Just a two-time winner and neither came on natural dirt. Broke his maiden on the Del Mar turf at first asking, and the El Camino Real Derby win came on a synthetic surface. A distant third to then undefeated Essential Quality in his most recent outing, the Blue Grass Stakes where this deep closer uncharacteristically raced close to the early pace, much to the dismay of his trainer. Chances should be enhanced here with plenty of rivals willing to ensure a quick, early pace which should set it up for this bay son of Twirling Candy who will certainly race well off the pace hoping to make his presence known in deep stretch.
- Laurel Park picks and ponderings: May 4, 2024We provide full-card picks and analysis for this afternoon’s races at Laurel Park.
RECENT RACE VIDEOS
Rombauer (KY) / T: Michael McCarthy |
O: John & Diane Fradkin |
04/03/2021 3 — Blue Grass Stakes (KEE) |
02/13/2021 1 — El Camino Real Derby (GGF) |
11/06/2020 5 — Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (KEE) |
09/26/2020 2 — American Pharoah (SA) |
- Big Big Star, the win, the layoff, and the race that wasn’tBig Big Star broke his maiden Sunday at Laurel Park for trainer Keri Brion off officially a 27-month layoff, though it’s actually a bit more complicated.
In the News
LATEST NEWS
Preakness:Well Gary Quill will fill the till
with that excellent selection-Rombauer;$25.60
I’ll be following his next projection.