Preakness Saturday · 10:41pm May 18th, 2019
Leaving behind the wild and somewhat controversial ending to the 145th Kentucky Derby, we move on to the 144th Preakness.
Both horses involved in the disqualification event two weeks ago are not in the gate for today's mile and three-eighths run, and there will be now Triple Crown on the line.
One hundred years ago the original Sir Barton was on a lay off awaiting the Belmont after capturing the Kentucky Derby, and then the Preakness four days later, even adding the Withers Stakes four days after that. Three wins in just eight days, and horses coming from the Kentucky Derby have only had exercise and one timed workout since running two weeks ago.
Well here's today's field breakdown:
No. 1 War Of Will
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Morning Line: 4-1
Will's last run was in the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago. With a mid group finish after making contact with Maximum Security in the top of the stretch.
No. 2 Bourbon War
Trainer: Mark Hennig
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Morning Line: 12-1
Fourth in the Florida Derby the end of March. He's rested, compared to other horses who ran either the Derby or other starts in between, but may be out of his depth here despite the similar distance to Florida.
No. 3 Warrior’s Charge
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Morning Line: 12-1
Two wins in a row at lower level events, can he come up to the challenge?
No. 4 Improbable
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
Morning Line: 5-2
Another Derby returnee, was close to the top three in that event and with 'Big Money' Mike Smith in the Irons, and Bob Baffert in the barn (TC Champions American Pharoah and Justify) Improbable is far from impossible to ignore.
No. 5 Owendale
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Morning Line: 10-1
Almost a month off from winning the Lexington Stakes, the Preakness is a quarter mile longer, but a step up in competition.
No. 6 Market King
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Jockey: Jon Court
Morning Line: 30-1
D. Wayne Lucas has won the Preakness six times, the horse, has yet to win.
No. 7 Alwaysmining
Trainer: Kelly Rubley
Jockey: Daniel Centeno
Morning line: 8-1
He's the hot horse coming into the race — he has six straight wins. Has front-running speed but may have to sit slightly off the pace to conserve energy for the stretch drive. He's Maryland bred and has the best storyline as School teacher-turned-racehorse trainer Kelly Rubley hopes to be first female trainer to win the Preakness. Local favorite, you bet.
No. 8 Signalman
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Morning Line: 30-1
A $32,000 horse, with over a half-million in bank so far and still improving. Likable long shot, may surprise more folks than Pinkie Pie.
No. 9 Bodexpress
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Jockey: John Velazquez
Morning Line: 20-1
Kentucky Derby alum, so he's short on rest and still winless. Breaking a maiden in a Classic race is a tall order in this company.
No. 10 Everfast
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Morning Line: 50-1
The genuine 'Why' horse. He doens't have opening or closing speed, a 'cruiser' if you will. Same pace same results. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over hoping for a different result.
No. 11 Laughing Fox
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.
Morning Line: 20-1
Solid win in the Oaklawn invitiational. He’s certainly sharp, coming off his latest win. But that was two weeks ago the same as the Derby Runners, and he didn't make the cut for that run. Finished fourth in the Arkansas Derby behind Omaha Beach (not here), Improbable (running) and Country House (also not running). Could be another surprise waiting for a party cannon to go off.
No. 12 Anothertwistafate
Trainer: Blaine Wright
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Morning Line: 6-1
Couldn’t win either of his last two races, which were both minor Kentucky Derby preps, so he may be in over his head. But he's got a deeper resume than that to get down to 6-1 odds. He's more rested than the Derby runners, and may be able to bounce back in what looks like good weather.
No. 13 Win Win Win
Trainer: Michael Trombetta
Jockey: Julian Pimentel
Morning Line: 15-1
Last of the 2019 Derby alumni, finishing mid-pack. Lack of rest, but no lack of guts here. But as they say, no Guts no Glory.
Sir Barton (One Old Race Horse, 1919 Preakness Winner)
Neigh.
Cool info!