When the Maryland Jockey Club carded the inaugural Barbaro Stakes on the Preakness Stakes card, it was prophetic that trainer Michael Matz would enter Chelokee.


After all, Matz had saddled Barbaro to win the 2006 Kentucky Derby and then watched in horror as the colt sustained a catastrophic injury in his right hind leg. The colt eventually died earlier this year due to the effects of laminitis.


The Preakness crowd also picked up on the Matz-Barbaro connection and sent Chelokee off at 3-10 odds in the five-horse field (after a pair of scratches). The Cherokee Run colt did not disappoint, taking over under jockey Ramon Dominguez rounding the second turn and drawing off to a widening 4 3/4-length margin over Silver Express.


“Right now, I’m elated. I couldn’t be happier. I have a promising horse. To win the first Barbaro Stakes, it’s a great feeling,” said Matz, who had considered running the late-developing colt in the Preakness before opting for the Barbaro

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