Uncle Lino (right) finishing second in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes – © Benoit Photo
During the first four months of 2016, Uncle Lino proved himself to be a very talented colt, finishing second in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II), fourth in the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II), and third in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) before breaking through with a solid win in the California Chrome Stakes. Now, the son of Uncle Mo is aiming for greater heights, and on May 21st, he will face some of the best horses of his generation in the $1,000,000 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico.
“I don’t know if I’m going to get it done, but I’m going to come in and give it a good shot,” trainer Gary Sherlock was quoted as saying in a Preakness press release. “The horse is doing good. He’s moving forward.”
One of Uncle Lino’s main rivals in the Preakness Stakes will be Exaggerator, who finished ahead of Uncle Lino in both the San Felipe Stakes and the Santa Anita Derby, but Sherlock is hoping that Uncle Lino can turn the tables.
“Exaggerator has beat me twice, but I’ve had some excuses,” Sherlock said. “I think my horse is better now than when I ran with him. I’ll be disappointed if I don’t run first, second or third. If nothing happens to Nyquist, he’ll probably win.”
But win or lose, Sherlock is looking forward to the Preakness.
“It’s fun. It’s good,” he said. “It’s the Preakness, so it’s not just another horse race. I’ve been doing this for 50 years, so I don’t get that excited. Want to see me excited? Let me win.”
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