Pretension could still gain a spot in the 137th running of the Preakness Stakes
Christopher W. Grove trained 3-year-old colt, Pretension, has made his mark at the Pimlico race track on 5 May, 2012, when the Kidwells Petite Stable owned colt turned in a big effort when he won the Grade 2, $50,000 Canonero Stakes at about one and one
sixteenth miles on the dirt track.
Bred in New York by A. Lakin and Sons and Sequel Thoroughbreds, Pretension against four other, 3-year-old clots started the race under patient handling, when he switched on the outside of pace setter My Adonis.
Going in the upper stretch, Pretension challenged My Adonis and under some brisk urging, won the challenge and after rounding off the bend assumed the lead.
The son of Bluegrass Cat, Pretension gained a short lead in the mid stretch, and that is all what he needed to open his wide strides and hit the wire first.
Out of Street Cry mare Main Streetin’, Pretension is expected to return to the Bowie Training Center on 9 May, 2012.
"He'll go back to training and see where he is and make a decision by the end of the week. Or maybe that decision will be made for us, depending on how the earnings go," said trainer Chris Grove.
Pretension was still a maiden when he started his 2012 campaign and failed to down a 1 mile 70 yard allowance/optional claimer at Laurel Park in his seasonal debut, where he finished second to winner Hakama.
Though he bounced back well, and captured the Sweet Envoy Stakes at the same distance but over at the Aqueduct race track.
Fifth in the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes to the 2011 juvenile champ, Hansen, at about 1 1/16 miles, aiming for a start in the Derby, Pretension participated in the Grade 3 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne race course, but after a troubled trip fell away to finish ninth
on the day.
"When we went to Illinois and didn't run well, we asked ourselves, 'Is he on fade?' He had no excuse for getting beat other than he didn't take to the racetrack," Grove said. "This was kind of reassurance that he is back to where we thought he was before
the Illinois Derby."
Tags: