Belmont Derby?

Potential Preakness field perhaps half that of Derby
Jay Privman

Just as in the Kentucky Derby, it looks like trainers Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher will determine the complexion of the Preakness Stakes, though unlike the Derby, the Preakness is shaping up as having a field perhaps half the size of the Derby.

Eighteen charged out of the gate in the Derby, with favored American Pharoah prevailing over Firing Line, with Dortmund third. As of Monday, those three were all pointing to the Preakness on May 16 at Pimlico. But potential challengers are sparse for the second leg of the Triple Crown. There are seven others whose connections are currently looking at the Preakness, but their degree of interest ranges from certain to merely possible.

Three potential runners – Carpe Diem, Competitive Edge, and Materiality – are all trained by Pletcher, but it is highly unlikely he would run all of them. All three would be coming back on two weeks’s rest. Carpe Diem was 10th in the Derby, Materiality sixth, while Competitive Edge won the Pat Day Mile earlier Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Other potential Preakness runners include Bodhisattva, Danzig Moon, Divining Rod, and International Star.

There are some jockey assignments that need to get ironed out. If Pletcher runs just one horse, John Velazquez likely would ride. If he runs more than one, Velazquez would have to choose.

Similarly, if Danzig Moon and Divining Rod run, Julien Leparoux would have to choose. As of Monday, Divining Rod was certain to run, Danzig Moon merely possible.

Full story -- plus a field box with horse, trainer, jockey, and last start -- up soon at www.drf.com

International Star OUT of Preakness with ankle chip
Marty McGee , Churchill Downs , 2015-05-05 - DRF Live

INTERNATIONAL STAR, the La. Derby winner who was scratched Saturday from the Kentucky Derby with a sore left front foot, was diagnosed this morning at Churchill Downs with an ankle chip in the same foreleg and will be sidelined indefinitely.

"This is a very depressing moment," owner Ken Ramsey said by phone this morning. "He was jogging unsound again this morning, and after we had extensive X-rays taken, a tiny chip about 2 millimeters in diameter was discovered. He'll have surgery, then 60-90 days off, then 30 more days stall rest. Best-case scenario would be a late-fall campaign."

Ramsey and trainer Mike Maker had said Derby Day they hoped the NY-bred colt would be past his soreness and able to run in the 140th Preakness at Pimlico on May 16, but clearly those plans have to be abandoned.

International Star won three straight stakes at Fair Grounds and was 24-1 in advance wagering for the Derby when he was withdrawn early Saturday.

Is Ramsey going to throw another infantile tantrum now?

Probably asks the trainer if he'll be ready for the Belmont.

What happened? Is there a link? Thanks in advance.

There's an article on drf

As Mark Casse seemed to hint, Danzig Moon will be a Preakness entrant..

Tale of Verve will run per Dallas after working this morning..

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blog ... %22%7D&wjb)

Doesn't work

Mr Z will not contest Preakness..

Thank God!

Direct quote from Mr Z?

Carpe Diem not running.

Privman drf post

http://live.drf.com/nuggets/14920

Wish Stanford was running so we can see an honest pace not Dortmund wearing down Firing Line and setting the table for American Pharaoh

Won't Materiality be prompting?

If I had to choose between which would DEFINITLEY go it would be Stanford. I don't see Castellano opening up and trying to go as fast as he can as far as he gain and hope no one follows. The only hope that Stanford would have is that scenario. Just my humble opinion.

Not if he doesn't enter the starting gate. There's talk of Grand Bili being entered...prompted the pace in two sprints so far.