The status of Preakness entrant Valhol was clouded yesterday after the Arkansas Racing Commission disqualified him from the $300,000 purse money he would have earned for winning the Arkansas Derby.
Because of the 14-horse limitation for the race, Valhol would need three or more probable Preakness candidates to withdraw from the race by Wednesday morning to qualify for the field. Scratch time is 9 a.m. daily. His career earnings without the Arkansas money would stand at $44,000, less than those of 16 others pointing for the Preakness.
Maryland Jockey Club vice president of racing Lenny Hale said: "The Maryland Racing Commission and Arkansas Racing Commission are conferring, but even if there is an appeal of the Arkansas decision, it is very doubtful the matter could be resolved between now and entry time."
Hale speculated that the Arkansas commission will uphold the ruling; hence Valhol would drop behind both Torrid Sand, who would get second money in Arkansas, and Lead Em Home. Pending any change, Valhol's $300,000 will not be recognized for the Preakness.
No Preakness for 'Lemon'
Maryland-connected Lemon Drop Kid, ninth in the Kentucky Derby after an extremely wide trip, has dropped out of the Preakness to point for the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park eight days later.
Owned by Jeanne Vance of Baltimore County, Lemon Drop Kid came out of the Derby fine, but will bypass the race for a less challenging task. The owner was out of town and unavailable yesterday.
Miss Preakness Stakes today
The Pimlico Special weekend begins today with the $100,000 Miss Preakness Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and includes Maryland breds Hookedonthefeelin and Silent Valay.
Hookedonthefeelin was sired by Citidancer out of an Alan's Prospect mare, Prospective Joy, at Country Life Farm in Bel Air. She beat Kentucky Derby runner and fellow Bob Baffert-trainee Excellent Meeting by more than eight lengths last July in California before becoming ill. This marks her return to the races.
Silent Valay, a speedy daughter of Carnivalay, won the Caesar's Wish Stakes impressively in her last local start.
They will both have to contend with Stint, who gets a five-pound weight break from the rest of a five-horse field going six furlongs. With Edgar Prado aboard, she is an 8-to-5 overnight favorite.
Et cetera
First American, 16th in the Derby, galloped a mile yesterday with trainer Eduardo Caramori watching. Earlier, Valhol jogged on the track. Lipstick, a 5-year-old mare by Smarten, equaled the track record for five furlongs on the turf in winning the eighth race yesterday. Her : 56 2/5 clocking was the same as My Frenchman's time eight years ago. Trainer Nick Zito's two Preakness entries, Stephen Got Even and Adonis, are due to arrive this morning.
Preakness update
Probable (13)
Horse........................ Last race
Charismatic ...............1st, Ky. Derby
Menifee .....................2nd, Ky. Derby
Cat Thief ...................3rd, Ky. Derby
Prime Timber..............4th, Ky. Derby
Kimberlite Pipe...........6th, Ky. Derby
Worldly Manner..........7th, Ky. Derby
Stephen Got Even...14th, Ky. Derby
First American..........16th, Ky. Derby
Adonis ......................17th, Ky. Derby
Vicar .........................18th, Ky. Derby
Silverbulletday ..........1st, Ky. Oaks.
Badge .......................4th, Wood Mem.
Patience Game .........N/A
Possible (4)
Valhol .......................15th, Ky. Derby
Torrid Sand ...............2nd, Ark. Derby
Forty One Carats ......2nd, Flamingo Stks.
Lead Em Home .........3rd, Ark. Derby
Pub Date: 5/07/99
Pub Date: 5/07/99