Mugatu gets a perfect day to meet the Pimlico historic track with Robby Albarado aboard. (Anika Miskar/Past The Wire)
David Joseph/Maryland Jockey Club
BALTIMORE, Md. – Average Joe Racing Stables LLC and Dan Wells’ Mugatu visited the Pimlico Race Course track for the first time at 7:30 Thursday morning, galloping 1 ½ miles under former jockey Robby Albarado, who was aboard Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan for a morning gallop an hour later.
“Robby said he felt great. He looked great,” trainer Jeff Engler said. “The track was still a little bit sloppy, and Robby said he handled it perfectly. He said if the track is sloppy on Saturday, you won’t have a problem.”
Mugatu enters Saturday’s Preakness Stakes (G1) coming off a fifth-place finish in the April 6 Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland, where he rallied from 10th.
“I’m pretty high on him, to be honest,” Engler said. “This horse just keeps getting better. He’s fresh. Coming off that race in the Blue Grass, if he improves off that race, he’ll be right there.”
Joe Bravo, who was aboard Mugatu’s maiden victory at Gulfstream in November the only time he has ridden the son of Blofeld, has the call for the Preakness.
