Preakness Field Beginning to Take Form

[twogunsid]

From Bloodhorse.com: ....With Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Nyquist scheduled to arrive at Pimlico Race Course May 9 between 4-5 p.m. ET, a field of challengers is already taking form for the May 21 Preakness Stakes (gr. I).

Expected to challenge, according to the Maryland Jockey Club, is Derby runner-up Exaggerator and ninth-place finisher Lani; Laoban and Cherry Wine, entered in the Derby but unable to draw into the race; and a handful of new shooters.

The fresh faces include Collected, a multiple graded stakes winner trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert; Awesome Speed, whose victory in the April 9 Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park earned him an automatic entry to the Preakness; impressive recent Keeneland allowance winner Stradivari; and California Chrome Stakes winner Uncle Lino.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/211494/preakness-field-beginning-to-take-form

[KamaAina]

1. I'm surprised that Exaggerator is doing the Preakness.

Given that he was fairly close to running down Nyquist in the mile-and-a-quarter Derby, I'd have thought he'd do what most Derby runners-up do these days: skip the Preakness and target the Belmont, where the mile-and-a-half distance would likely suit him.

As a Bawlmer boy, I heartily approve , but it's kind of strange.

[Kingofalldems]

2. That's also Kent's old haunt.

[KamaAina]

3. Oh, right. I forgot about that!

[trumad]

4. Props to Exaggerator for running.

I hate when they skip the Middle race to try and gain advantage.