Illinois Winner Departing Eyes Preakness

Although he could wind up with enough points to qualify for a spot in the May 4 Kentucky Derby, the connections for Departing, coming off a win in last weekend’s Illinois Derby, have said the gelding will skip the race. Given a month off, however, a run at the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 18 is a definite possibility. Although all indications are Departing came out of the Illinois in good shape, the two-week turnaround to come back for the Derby doesn’t provide enough recovery time.

Departing scores third lifetime victory at Hawthorne

Under jockey Brian Hernandez Jr, Departing was able to overcome a wide trip to capture the 1 1/8^th mile $750,000 Grade III Illinois at Hawthorn. Racing six-wide down the backstretch, the three-year-old son of War Front made a sweeping outside move on the far turn to overcome the leaders, and then pulled away for a 3 1/2 –length score over runner-up Fordubai. With the victory Departing upped his record to 3 wins in 4 starts - with earnings of $628,000.

Strong third place finish in Louisiana Derby prep

It was the second race in a row the Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider- owned Departing had to overcome an outside trip to finish in the money. Three weeks earlier in the Grade II Louisiana Derby, he came five-wide down the stretch to close on winner Revolutionary and Mylute, two horses that sit sixth and sixteenth, respectively, in the current Kentucky Derby qualification point standings. Although it’s likely both of those will contest the Run for the Roses, Departing will stay in the barn that day, while his owners and trainer plan his future.