Having been committed to the race just 24 hours earlier and in the absence of GI Kentucky Derby hero Sovereignty (Into Mischief), Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith's Derby runner-up Journalism (Curlin) was made the 8-5 favorite on Dan Illman's morning line for Saturday's 150th running of the $2-million GI Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. He was assigned post position two during Monday's draw at the Guiness Open Gate Brewery.
The $825,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga acquisition was given a terrific steer in the Derby by Umberto Rispoli at Churchill Downs, working his way into the clear at about halfway before launching a rally that carried him into the lead in upper stretch. Sovereignty was close in tow, however, and won the final-furlong dash for the roses. After carefully observing his colt's training over the course of the last several days, trainer Michael McCarthy, who saddled Rombauer (Twirling Candy) to win the 2021 Preakness, gave him the green light, and Journalism is expected on the Pimlico backstretch on Tuesday following a van ride up from Louisville.
Journalism is one of three to move on from the Derby into the Preakness, and he will be joined by GI Arkansas Derby hero Sandman (Tapit), beaten just over a dozen lengths into seventh in the Churchill slop and he too was a later addition to the Preakness field. He has drawn the seven hole.
“Obviously you don't want to be the one (post). It worked for War of Will, it worked for American Pharaoh,” said trainer Mark Casse, who saddled War of Will for a Preakness victory in 2019. “Look, Journalism is definitely the horse to beat, he has already proven that. We don't know how he is going to react to the two weeks, we don't know how it will be for us.”
Co-owner Griffin Johnson was present for the post position draw after abandoning prior commitments of his own to experience the event.
“I was supposed to be at a wedding, but I got a call on Saturday from Mark [Casse] and he said, 'We're going to run him.' I was excited. I love to see him run. That's my favorite thing about Sandman; I like to show up and support him and watch him do his work. I'm happy to be here,” Johnson said.
The third of the Derby alumnus is Virginia Derby winner American Promise (Justify), who endured a rough trip when 16th in the Derby. He will try to give Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas back-to-back runnings of the Preakness after Seize the Grey (Arrogate) caused a front-running upset 12 months ago. He'll line up just to the outside of the favorite in three.
'TDN Rising Star' River Thames (Maclean's Music), a latest third in the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, passed the Derby and lands here as the 9-2 third choice, with Irad Ortiz, Jr. the pilot from gate six. Fellow 'Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time) wheels back on two weeks' rest, having won an allowance on the Derby undercard. Flavien Prat, aboard the aforementioned Rombauer, rides the 6-1 gamble.
“Once you draw, you can't think about it. Last time I drew the one here was with American Pharaoh. I drew the one with Lookin At Lucky. The one hole is not as bad here as it would be in the Derby,” said trainer Bob Baffert. “He is not as fast as these other horses on paper, but I think he is a good horse. I really thought he was a better fit than Rodriguez would have been.”
Clever Again (American Pharoah) is a veteran of just three starts and exits a four-length defeat of subsequent GII Pat Day Mile third Gaming (Game Winner) in the Hot Springs Stakes Mar. 30. Two-time Preakness winner Steve Asmussen saddles the 5-1 chance, who will be ridden for pace from a wide draw in eight. Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.) makes the trans-Atlantic journey for trainer Jamie Osborne, who once again goes to daughter Saffie Osborne for the ride. He was a very tough second in the G2 UAE Derby at Meydan when last seen Apr. 5.
Local trainer Mike Gorham saddles his first Preakness runner in the form of Pay Billy (Improbable), who earned his ticket to the second leg of the Triple Crown courtesy of his victory in the Federico Tesio Stakes, which offered the winner a guaranteed spot in the Preakness field.
“I'm real happy with it,” said trainer Michael Gorham. “That's what I was hoping for–4, 5 or 6. I didn't want to be down on the rail in the 1 or 2, and I didn't want to be on the far outside. I think it worked out pretty good. I think we'll get him out of there running and try to get a spot. You don't want to get caught too far back. He has a little tactical speed. He can be forwardly placed. We've got to get into the turn in a good spot, not too far off the lead but have something to run at.”
Similarly, Gosger (Nyquist) becomes a first Preakness starter for Brendan Walsh, who will give a leg up to Luis Saez. The colt exits a win in Keeneland's GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes Apr. 12.
Saturday, Pimlico Race Course
PREAKNESS S.-GI, $2,000,000, 3yo, 1 3/16m
HORSE (SIRE), JOCKEY, TRAINER, ML
1 Goal Oriented (Not This Time), Baffert, Prat, 6-1
2 Journalism (Curlin), McCarthy, Rispoli, 8-5
3 American Promise (Justify), Lukas, Juarez, 15-1
4 Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.), J Osborne, S Osborne, 12-1
5 Pay Billy (Improbable), Gorham, Mena, 20-1
6 River Thames (Maclean's Music), Pletcher, Ortiz, Jr, 9-2
7 Sandman (Tapit), Casse, Velazquez, 4-1
8 Clever Again (American Pharoah), Asmussen, Ortiz, 5-1
9 Gosger (Nyquist), Walsh, Saez, 20-1
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