In the News: ‘Michael Phelps’ horse to run in Pimlico Stakes’

If you’re an 18-time Olympic gold medalist with a net worth of $45 mil, why not own a racehorse? I mean, what the heck. Here’s the AP story.

Top photo: Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club

Phelps is part-owner of Cerro, a 3-year-old Ireland-bred colt who is the early favorite to win the $100,000 Canonero II Stakes at Pimlico on Saturday.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Phelp’s former trainer Bob Bowman, who has bred and owned thoroughbreds for several years, also owns a share.

In a previous interview with Huffington Post, Bowman explains, “I’ve always loved racing and I got out because it just got to be a little much with the coaching, but now that Michael has retired and we’re on a little more flexible schedule, we both wanted to have fun with it. I think he’s always seen how much fun I’ve had with it and wanted to get involved, and this is a great opportunity for us to do it.”

Cerro is trained by Rick Mettee and has a new jockey, Alan Garcia, who is replacing Joel Rosario. He will run under the colors of Team Valor.

The AP story details Cerro’s stats:

Cerro will be running 1 1/8 miles for the second time since winning his first career race in Italy last year. He is 1 for 4 this year, including a sixth-place finish behind Kentucky Derby winner Orb in the Fountain of Youth, and a fourth-place finish in the Lexington Stakes.

Cerro has career earnings of $48,450.

He will face five rivals, including Dynamic Strike, the only stakes winner in the field.