Barbaro’s owners bring Divining Rod to Preakness

Associated Press

Roy and Gretchen Jackson are heading back to the Preakness as owners for the first time since Barbaro’s fateful trip to Pimlico nine years ago.

They’re heading to Baltimore with their latest entry, Divining Rod.

Barbaro captured a nation’s attention after winning the Kentucky Derby when he tragically broke down at the start of the second Triple Crown race and bravely fought to recover from the devastating leg injury. Barbaro was euthanized eight months later and people still remind the couple of how much the fallen champion meant to them.

“It’s hard to explain how much interest is there nine years later,” Jackson said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. “There are still a lot of people who loved him and follow the whole thing.

“You sort of have two choices: you can sit and dwell on it, and that really doesn’t accomplish anything. We just chose to move on and go on to new things. We still think about him.”

Divining Rod is the latest example of how the Jacksons have moved forward. The colt enters Saturday’s 140th Preakness with two wins in five starts including the Coolmore Lexington on April 11 at Keeneland.

American Pharoah is the likely favorite after his Derby victory nearly two weeks ago, but Divining Rod could be the sentimental choice because the Jacksons owned the beloved Barbaro. They’re certainly prepared for the attention.

“I don’t expect too many hopes to be pinned on Divining Rod, but it certainly brings the Barbaro situation up,” Roy Jackson said. “He’s a different horse and a different kind of horse. Some people probably have interest — not because he’s related to Barbaro or anything, but because of ownership.”

The Jacksons’ Lael Stables in Pennsylvania has produced eight graded stakes winners since Barbaro including Divining Rod, whose record includes a second and two thirds. The son of Tapit by Precious Kitten became Derby eligible following his three-length victory in the Grade 3 Lexington, though he would have needed many defections to make the 20-horse field.

PLETCHER PASSES ON PREAKNESS

The Preakness is out for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Pletcher said Tuesday he will not enter any of the four horses he was considering for Saturday’s Preakness at Pimlico Race Course.

Materiality is expected to run next in the Belmont Stakes on June 6 after finishing sixth in the Kentucky Derby despite a troubled trip.

Pletcher’s other Preakness possibilities were Derby 10th-place finisher Carpe Diem; Competitive Edge; and Stanford.

With the decision, the Preakness could be left with seven starters, the smallest field since 1986. Derby winner American Pharoah, and second- and third-place finishers Firing Line and Dortmund top the lineup. Others include Danzig Moon, Divining Rod, Bodhisattva and Tale of Verve.