O'Neill deputy to oversee Derby champ
Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Kentucky Derby winning trainer Doug O'Neill has returned to Santa Anita Park as his Run for the Roses champ I'll Have Another makes his way to Pimlico for the Preakness Stakes.
Put in charge of the three-year-old colt is assistant trainer Jack Sisterson. The 27-year-old native of England is a graduate of the University of Louisville and is wrapping his head around Saturday's victory.
"I don't think it's sunk in yet. Words can't describe how I feel. Seeing him at the 1/16th-pole coming down the racetrack in front and crossing the finish line, I said, 'Wow! We did it! '" said Sisterson, who has been working for O'Neill for a year. "Even the excitement getting to the race was a real experience in itself. On the walk-over, I said, 'Wow! Here we go!'"
Team Valor's Barry Irwin confirmed on Twitter that Derby fourth-place horse Went the Day Well will start in the $1 million Preakness on May 19.
"We were fortunate enough to catch a ride with the Derby winner to Baltimore today," trainer Graham Motion said. "He is doing well and the plan is to run in the Preakness as long as he is doing well."
Went the Day Well, winner of the Spiral Stakes, will train for the Preakness at Fair Hill Training Center in nearby Elkton.
05/07 15:49:08 ET