Creative Cause back in form according to trainer Mike Harrington
Trainer Mike Harrington failed to see the enthusiasm, Creative Cause, usually displayed in workouts, and the trainer was worried if the fifth place finish in the gruelling Grade 1, $2 million Kentucky Derby has finally taken its toll on the Giant’s Causeway’s
3-year-old colt.
After a few days, Creative Cause felt like himself and showed that he is ready for the Grade 1, $1 million Preakness Stakes at Pimlico racecourse on 19 May, 2012, where he will likely face the top two of the Kentucky Derby winners Bodemeister and I’ll Have
Another.
Creative Cause, still at Betfair Hollywood Park showed a lot of enthusiasm when he jogged and galloped two miles. The work at Hollywood Park as probably his last there, as he is scheduled to fly to Baltimore on 16 May, 2012.
Heinz Steinmann’s Creative Cause is showing positive signs at the right time, and with this recent work, Mike Harrington will be a happy man going to Baltimore, where he will jog the colt some more ahead of the Saturday’s Triple Crown’s middle jewel.
"At this point in time, I’m definitely coming," Harrington said. "The only reason I wouldn’t come is if something went awry between now and Wednesday morning, when he gets on the airplane. As of now, we’re coming."
Creative Cause like I’ll Have Another ran in the Grade 1, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby over a distance of 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita Park, and finished a close second to the eventual Kentucky Derby winner on 7 April, 2012.
This instant revival of Creative Cause is threatened by the trans-continental flight that will take the Preakness contender to Baltimore, according to trainer Mike Harrington.
“It’s always a concern,” he said. “I wasn’t too interested in going to Baltimore for two weeks. I thought he’d be happier here.
“I think he’s got his mojo back. If the flight takes it out of him, we’ll have to see.”
Right now, Creative Cause has a bankroll of $408,000 after winning 4 of 9 starts, and after being sent as the 11 to 1 shot in the Derby, Creative Cause showed a lot of promise finishing from 10th to fifth.
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