The streaking Alwaysmining (Stay Thirsty) put in his final breeze for next Saturday's GI Preakness S. Friday morning, covering five panels in a bullet :48 1/5 (1/13) over the all-weather surface at Fair Hill.
“I was very happy with his work today,” said conditioner Kelly Rubley. “He started off nice and easy and finished up strong. He galloped out very well, so we're very pleased.”
Campaigned by Runnymede Racing LLC, Alwaysmining has won each of his last six starts by daylight, most recently annexing Laurel's Federico Tesio S. by an emphatic 11 1/4 lengths and earning an entries-paid spot in the Preakness starting gate.
“I wanted to see him start out nice and easy and finish up strong,” Rubley said of Friday's move. “My rider [Felix Astudillo] thought he was very aggressive going to the pole, which is a great sign. Now we'll see how he comes out [Saturday] and get through this week.”
She added, “His confidence level seems to be getting better and better, so he's getting more aggressive to breeze. He loves what he does. It makes a big difference. He makes it look easy. It's a lot of fun to watch.”
In other Preakness news, Live Oak Plantation's Win Win Win (Hat Trick {Jpn}) has been confirmed for the race. The Pasco S. winner and GII Toyota Blue Grass S. runner-up was most recently ninth in the GI Kentucky Derby.
“He seems pretty darn good,” said trainer Mike Trombetta, noting that regular rider Julian Pimentel will retain the mount.
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