The Cliff's Edge, one of 10 likely starters in Saturday's Preakness Stakes.
The Cliff's Edge, who finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) after losing both his front shoes, turned in a solid half-mile breeze in :48 2/5 at Churchill Downs Saturday."I got him a half in :48 3/5, and he went the last eighth in 11 and change," Zito said. "I was really happy with that. He looked great."The son of Gulch, who was impressive winning the Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I), will ship to Pimlico on Monday, along with two other Nick Zito-trained horses, Sir Shackleton and Royal Assault.Sir Shackleton, winner of the Derby Trial (gr. III) in his last start, likely will contest the Preakness, while Royal Assault will use the Sir Barton Stakes the same day as a prep for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). Royal Assault finished fifth in the Wood Memorial (gr. I) in his last start. Sir Shackleton worked 5 furlongs in :59 2/5 Saturday.Eddington, third in the Wood Memorial (gr. I), came out Saturday's five-furlong breeze in 1:00 over muddy Belmont track in good shape and will van down to Baltimore on Wednesday, according to trainer Mark Hennig.Elsewhere, Imperialism Steve Taub's colt who was a closing third in the Kentucky Derby despite traffic problems, is due to arrive at Pimlico on Tuesday evening aboard a flight from California.The son of Langfuhr , who beat Lion Heart in the San Rafael Stakes (gr. II), and then was placed second behind Castledale in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), is trained by the 21-year-old Kristin Mulhall.Imperialism will be ridden again by Kent Desormeaux , who will enjoy another Maryland homecoming. Desormeaux was the state's leading jockey from 1987 through 1989.Borrego, Rock Hard Ten and Lion Heart are due to arrive at Pimlico from Kentucky on Wednesday afternoon.
