May 7, 2024
KENTUCKY — By Sean Collins
With the Kentucky Derby complete, the field for the 149th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course May 18 is beginning to take shape but most likely will be missing much Derby influence.
Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Kenny McPeek had not yet completed his morning after-Derby interview with the media May 5 before receiving a call from Pimlico officially inviting Derby winner Mystik Dan to the Preakness. Whether or not the Kentucky Derby winner will participate, however, is yet to be determined.
“I’m undecided on Baltimore, we’ll see,” said McPeek.
McPeek said the Goldencents colt was tired following his gutsy performance in which he held off Toyota Blue Grass Stakes winner Sierra Leone by a nose. McPeek plans to send the Derby winner back to the track May 8 and will determine from there his status on the Preakness.
“If I don’t think he’s right and ready, then we’ll just wait for the Belmont [Stakes],” McPeek said.
The June 8 Belmont Stakes appears to be the most likely landing spot for many of the Derby contenders. With the race temporarily moving to Saratoga Race Course due to construction at Belmont Park, the usual 1 1/2-mile distance will be reduced to the same 1 1/4 miles of the Derby. Saratoga’s main-track track configuration necessitates the change.
Read the full story from America’s Best Racing here.
