Two promising colts by Darley stallions E Dubai and Holy Bull may well have earned their place in the G1 Preakness Stakes, due to run at Pimlico on May 16, both taking their first Graded Stakes in impressive style on April 25.
At Aqueduct, Mr Fantasy (E Dubai) bounced back from his first career defeat when third in the Gotham Stakes last month, landing the G3 Withers Stakes. Settled off the frantic early pace set by Supreme Summit, Mr Fantasy took the lead with three furlongs to run and held off the fast-finishing G2 winner This Ones For Phil to win by a length-and-three-quarters with third placer Gone Astray a full seven-and-a-half lengths further back. This was of course the race won by Bernardini en route to his five-and-a-quarter length victory in the Preakness three years ago.
The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained colt, who was bred by Corra Cavalo Thoroughbreds, won his first two starts by a combined 19 lengths, prior to his third place in the Gotham.
Meanwhile at Churchill Downs, Hull (Holy Bull) also threw himself into contention for the Preakness with an easy victory in the G3 Derby Trial Stakes.
Tracking the pace three wide, Hull moved past his rivals to take the lead in the early stretch and ran on superbly to take the seven-and-a-half furlong contest by four lengths.
Bred by Mr and Mrs Robert Clinkinbeard, Hull is out of the Stakes-placed mare Band Queen (Chimes Band).
Also on Saturday, Cherokee Run's three-year-old daughter Lorettine gained her first Black type when third in the Goldfinch Stakes at Prairie Meadow.
