NEWS
For Dialed In, Preakness offers a World Cup level purse
Posted: Thursday, May 12, 2011 12:17 PM
DIALED IN w/NICK ZITO
photos by Z/Thoroughbred Times
by Frank Angst
Dialed In failed to hit the board as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), but the Florida Derby (G1) winner will still have an opportunity to make history in this year’s Preakness Stakes (G1).
A victory in the second jewel of the Triple Crown would secure $5.5-million in bonus earnings along and a winner’s share of at least $600,000 to give Dialed In a North American-record $6.1-million payout for a winning horse. The Jockey Club will count the $5.5-million bonus, which is to be divided $5-million to the owner and $500,000 to the trainer, as career earnings for Dialed In.
A $6.1-million payout would surpass the previous North American record single payout for winning a race that went to Smarty Jones in 2004 when he won the Kentucky Derby, to secure a $5-million bonus for total earnings of $5,884,000. The bonus was awarded for sweeping the Arkansas Derby (G2) and Kentucky Derby as part of Oaklawn Park’s centennial celebration.
Dialed In’s payout would be comparable to the money earned by the Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline (UAE-G1) winner. Victoire Pisa earned $6-million for winning this year’s World Cup at Meydan.
The total purse of the richest race in North America falls short of $6.1-million. The Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) has featured a purse of $4,545,000 in each of the previous two years with winners Blame (2010) and Zenyatta (2009) each securing $2.7-million.
MI Developments Inc., which at the time was controlled by Frank Stronach, made the Preakness 5.5 bonus last year to promote prep races at its winter tracks. Stronach is in the process of completing a deal to take full control of racing operations from the publicly traded MI Developments.
To become eligible for the bonus, Dialed In won the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) and Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. Horses who won select West Coast preps and the Santa Anita Derby (G1) also were eligible but Santa Anita Derby winner Midnight Interlude secured his first career stakes win in that race.
Moments after winning the Florida Derby, Dialed In’s owner Robert LaPenta acknowledged thinking about the bonus.
“The goal is the Derby, but it certainly is nice to consider [Frank] Stronach’s $5.5-million bonus,” LaPenta said.
This week trainer Nick Zito said the stable is well aware of the opportunity.
“LaPenta’s certainly thinking about it, he pays the bills,” Zito joked. “My staff and the feed guys are excited. There are a lot of people rooting for us next Saturday.”
Of the projected Preakness starters, also eligible for a significant bonus is Florida Derby runner-up Shackleford, who will be racing for a $550,000 bonus and total payout of $1.1-million. Shackleford put himself in position to earn the XPressBet 5.5 bonus by running in the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) (where he finished sixth) and placing in the Florida Derby (finishing second).
Fillies had an opportunity at a $2.2-million bonus ($2-million to owner, $200,000 to trainer), through victories in prep races at MI Developments tracks followed by a win in the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) but no filly qualified.
Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) winner R Heat Lightning is eligible for a $220,000 consolation, the XPressBet 2.2, but she is not nominated to the race. Trainer Todd Pletcher pulled R Heat Lightning from consideration for the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (G1) after detecting heat in a knee.
