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
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