'Rising Star' Crude Velocity To Pat Day Mile, Then Preakness After Santa Anita Allowance Romp

Talkin, Crude Velocity target Preakness on divergent paths

Danny Gargan's Talkin and Bob Baffert's Crude Velocity emerged from Saturday's action on opposite ends of the results spectrum, but both 3-year-olds share a common target: the Preakness on May 16 at Laurel Park. Talkin finished third in the Grade 1 Blue Grass at Keeneland, beaten 11 lengths by runaway winner Further Ado but earning 25 Kentucky Derby qualifying points for a career total of 30. That figure is unlikely to secure a spot in the Derby…

'Rising Star' Crude Velocity To Pat Day Mile, Then Preakness After Santa Anita Allowance Romp

Crude Velocity (Beau Liam), already named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' for his debut win over course and distance March 7, stepped up to face winners Saturday for the first time. Racing without his blinkers as the 1-2 favorite, the Triple Crown-nominated colt had early traffic to deal with as he sat off the pace from just behind a leading pair past the half-mile pole. Circling the field under his own power, he easily headed For All …