Jennifer Patterson, exercise rider and assistant to trainer Shug McGaughey is helping guide Kentucky Derby winner Orb through his schedule this week en route to tomorrow’s Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. As told to Anthony Affrunti.
BALTIMORE — I took Orb out for a jog on Wednesday morning, and he came out of the breeze in great shape. Went back to the track yesterday, galloped, and he just floated over the track.
We wanted to see how he’d take to it compared with Churchill, and it definitely won’t be a problem. He’s doing really good.
It was fun going to the draw on Wednesday night. He drew the one, which he’s had in the past. It’s not ideal, but it’s also not a problem. We’re not worried about it.
He was on the outside in the Derby with all those horses, but Saturday, it’s a totally different race, and I don’t think it’s a big deal. We’ll be OK. Obviously were not sure how the pace will be, but fast or slow it’ll be up to [jockey] Joel [Rosario].
He’ll have to see how things form and go from there. He knows the horse, so we’re confident. They came from way back in the Derby, but he doesn’t have to be that far Saturday When he kicked in last time, he passed 10 horses in a matter of seconds. I don’t think the pace will be a problem. As long as he doesn’t get stuck in traffic, he’ll be fine.
It’s still quiet in the morning here. Not many horses out on the track, but with each passing day, more and more people are filling up the stands during the workouts. We’ll gallop a mile and a quarter this morning, a nice easy jog. Anything to get him out of his stall, so he doesn’t get to thinking too much. Just keep him in his routine.
His groom, Enrique Martinez, has been with him all winter and has done a great job with him. He knows this horse well. Saturday morning we’ll jog and gallop about five furlongs. Then it’s up to him. Joel will wear the same set of Janney’s silks and Orb the same bridle he wore on Derby day. Not as a superstition, but as another part of his routine. It’s all for the horse.
As for the race, I’m not sure what Pimlico allows, but if I can watch it from the track like I did in the Derby, I will. I’ll probably be listening to the call more than watching. I think I watched more of the crowd than the race. I saw him toward the back, then lost him, and it wasn’t until the stretch when I saw him taking the lead that I knew where he was.
Orb picked up a sponsorship with Maserati, and we all got these cool hats and stuff to wear. All of the proceeds will go to the Grayson-Jockey Club for equine research, and the Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation to help backstretch workers with financial aid, medical bills, and other things. It’s all for a good cause. Joel even put some of his own money in. Anything we can do to help. We’re just enjoying this moment. They don’t come around too often
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