Skipping the Kentucky Derby (G1) after your 3-year-old qualifies for it can be a tumultuous decision.
It is, after all, the sport's most famous and coveted race.
Yet for the connections of WinStar Farm, CHC, Pantofel Stable, and Wachtel Stable's River Thames, it wasn't a thorny choice to keep him in his stall on the first Saturday in May and point to the May 17 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course.
"This was a case in which we committed to it pretty early. We just felt it was the best option for this horse," trainer Todd Pletcher said. "It's usually hard to resist the temptation to run in the Kentucky Derby, but at the time, we decided WinStar had Tappan Street for the Derby. Unfortunately, he (was injured) but I don't think that would have changed our plan. After the Blue Grass Stakes, this was the best option."
A New York-bred son of Maclean's Music , River Thames was second in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) after pressing the early pace from a close second most of the way and ran an even third in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1), giving him 50 qualifying points and assuring him of a spot in the Run for the Roses–if his connections wanted to run. But after some internal discussions, the decision was made to target the Preakness. Thus, in one swift move, River Thames went from a longshot in the Kentucky Derby to one of the favorites in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, where he will have more rest and a shorter 1 3/16-mile distance.
"We felt like he was a high-level horse, and we dropped a lot on him early. We had him running three times in seven weeks," said Elliott Walden, CEO, president, and racing manager of WinStar Farm. "We ran him in the Blue Grass and felt it was a lot to ask of him to run back in four weeks in the Derby. Giving him the extra weeks was the right decision, and hopefully he'll run a big one. We're excited."
Though he didn't run in the Kentucky Derby, the 1 1/4-mile classic reflected quite well on River Thames. In the Fountain of Youth, just his third career start, he was second by a neck to Sovereignty, who won the Run for the Roses by 1 1/2 lengths but will not run in the Preakness.
"I think it was the right decision to skip the Kentucky Derby and the result flattered his form a bit," Pletcher said. "He just got nicked by Sovereignty in the Fountain of Youth."
With the kind of keen tactical speed that should keep him close to the early pace, River Thames figures to be a good fit at Pimlico, where the last three winners of the Preakness were either first or second after the opening half-mile.
"I think his running style suits Pimlico," Pletcher said.
Purchased for $200,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Preferred New York Bred Yearling Sale from the Legacy Bloodstock consignment, River Thames has been impressive from the start, winning his Jan. 11 debut at Gulfstream Park by 4 3/4 lengths in a six-furlong maiden race.
"He was one of our top 2-year-olds last year. You watch him around the barn, and you wouldn't know it, but you watch him breeze, and he breezes really well. He gallops nice and easy and is easy on himself," Walden said. "His athleticism and ability to show speed and carry it are impressive."
Following his debut win, River Thames took a mile allowance optional claiming race by 6 1/2 lengths before moving into stakes company. Prior to the Blue Grass, Pantofel Stable and Wachtel Stable bought into the ownership group.
"Everything he has done is very impressive. You think about going six furlongs in his debut and then running a mile and a sixteenth in the Fountain of Youth and then (third) at a mile and an eighth in the Blue Grass," Pletcher said. "He's come a long way in a short period of time. He's always breezed like a talented horse and shown up and been consistent in top-level races. Hopefully, coming in fresh gives him the little bit of an edge that we need in the Preakness."
Bred by CTR Stables out of the Discreet Cat mare Proportionality, the grade 1-placed River Thames has earned $261,900.
For Pletcher, Saturday's $2 million Preakness could complete a personal Triple Crown for the Hall of Fame trainer. The sport's all-time earnings leader, Pletcher has won the Kentucky Derby twice and the Belmont Stakes (G1) four times, but he's 0-for-10 at the Preakness with a third in 2000 with Impeachment his best finish.
On Saturday, it will be up to River Thames to end that streak and provide a dividend for being patient.
"He's never run a bad race. His form holds up pretty well. He was second to Sovereignty when he ran a little green. Then he puts in a good effort in the Blue Grass when (jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.) felt he moved too soon and learned a bit about the colt," Walden said. "Hopefully, he'll take one more step forward at Pimlico and we'll be in good shape."
