2013 Kentucky Derby: Latest News and Reactions Concerning Upcoming Preakness

With Orb winning the 2013 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, most horse racing enthusiasts have already begun looking forward to the upcoming Preakness Stakes.

The second jewel of the Triple Crown will take place at Pimlico Race Track on May 18. The field is limited to just 14 horses, so the competition to land one of the coveted spots at the starting gate will be fierce.

However, not all the contenders that participated in the Run for the Roses will be making an attempt for the blanket of Black-Eyed Susans, meaning a handful of fresh faces should be making an appearing at the Baltimore-based race in two weeks.

Let’s take a look at the latest news and reactions post-Kentucky Derby concerning the 2013 Preakness Stakes.

Kentucky Derby Runners Heading to Preakness Stakes

Esther Marr, reporter for The Blood-Horse magazine, has found a number of Derby participants have committed to an appearance at the Preakness, while a handful more are still on the fence.

Orb makes the most sense, as trainer Shug McGuaghey has a chance to claim his first Preakness Stakes, right on the heels of his maiden Derby victory. He is the Triple Crown favorite and could become the first winner since Affirmed accomplished the feat in 1978.

Oxbow finished a respectable sixth, with Will Take Charge coming in right behind him at No. 8. Goldencents has the most to improve on, as he came in a highly disappointing 17th after being one of the pre-race favorites.

Two of the “maybes,” Mylute and Lines of Battle, finished within the top 10, but Itsmyluckyday crossed the came in at No. 15—a poor performance for a horse with such high hopes.

 

Todd Pletcher Goes from Five to None

After entering five horses in the Kentucky Derby and coming up short with all of them, Pletcher is going back to the drawing board and pulling all of his thoroughbreds from Preakness contention.

Pletcher seemed most pleased with Revolutionary’s third-place showing and is likely going to train him to challenge Orb again in the Belmont Stakes come early-June.

Another horse from his stable, Overanalyze, is also shooting for the Belmont, while Charming Kitten is heading back to grass-only races. Owners of Palace Malice and Verrazano are both undecided on their colts’ futures.

 

Doug O’Neill Thinks Goldencents Will Improve

Goldencents was one of the main contenders under the Twin Spires at post time, but finished No. 17 on the sloppy track that was marred by rain in the Louisville, Ky. Area.

The controversial but effective trainer—who won the Preakness and Derby in 2012 with I’ll Have Another—seemed to think the elements were primarily the reason for his shortcomings.

He told Ron Mitchell of Bloodhorse.com:

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"We're still scratching our heads about the way the race unfolded. I think he just didn't enjoy the kickback (from mud being splashed by other horses) and where he was."

 

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Don’t be surprised if Goldencents finishes near the front of the pack in two weeks, especially if the sun is shining and the course is firm.

New Contenders Emerging

With so many Derby participants dropping out, expect to see a few unfamiliar faces at Pimlico.

Abstraction should be one colt that could push Orb down the stretch, as he claimed the FedricoTesio Stakes in late April and is primed to compete at the Preakness, although trainer David Carollis remaining mum on the subject.

After the $75,750 stakes, he told Pimlico.com:

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“It’s great to be back [at Pimlico].That was a great experience but it was a tough loss. Today was a lot more fun but we are not making any commitments to the Preakness. Where his next race will be, I have no idea.”

 

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Departing is another potential Preakness horse, who recently wowed the crowd at the Illinois Derby.

He won the $750,000 Grade 3 event and decided against competing in the Kentucky Derby, but is keeping his options open for the Preakness.

According to trainer Al Stall Jr. (h/t Marcus Hersh of DRF.com), the team observed the Run for the Roses carefully:

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“The Preakness is a definite possibility. We’ll watch the Derby and see what’s what.”

 

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While Orb ran well, he’s certainly beatable and Departing deserves a fair shake to challenge him in two weeks.