***UPDATED with post positions and odds
Medina Spirit’s gutsy victory in the Kentucky Derby (G1) has come under the microscope after a positive postrace test for betamethasone. But the rags-to-riches colt will get his chance to follow up in Saturday’s Preakness S. (G1) at Pimlico.
Trainer Bob Baffert, who notched a record seventh Derby win, now seeks to break the Preakness record as well. The Hall of Famer has won seven, tied with 19th-century trainer Robert Wyndham Walden, and an eighth would put him alone atop the all-time standings.
Baffert has two chances at that record, with Concert Tour also set for Baltimore since skipping the Derby. Most of the contenders are “new shooters,” as only two of the Derby vanquished are back for the middle jewel.
Here’s the Preakness cast:
Kentucky Derby alumni
MEDINA SPIRIT, Post 3, 9-5
Underestimated after seconds in the San Felipe (G2) and Santa Anita Derby (G1), 12-1 shot in the Kentucky Derby went to the lead and repelled all comers.
Owner: Zedan Racing Stables; Trainer: Bob Baffert; Jockey: John Velazquez
Pedigree: Protonico-Mongolian Changa, by Brilliant Speed
MIDNIGHT BOURBON, Post 5, 5-1
Kentucky Derby sixth was surprisingly never close to the pace, after using his early speed to win the Lecomte (G3) and place in the Risen Star (G2) and Louisiana Derby (G2).
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds; Trainer: Steve Asmussen; Jockey: Irad Ortiz
Pedigree: Tiznow-Catch the Moon, by Malibu Moon
KEEPMEINMIND, Post 2, 15-1
Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) third rallied from last to take seventh in the Derby.
Owners: Spendthrift Farm, Cypress Creek & Arnold Bennewith; Trainer: Robertino Diodoro; Jockey: David Cohen
Pedigree: Laoban-Inclination, by Victory Gallop
Triple Crown newcomers
CONCERT TOUR, Post 10, 5-2
Rebel (G2) conqueror comes off his first loss, a weary third as the 3-10 favorite in the Arkansas Derby.
Owner: Gary and Mary West; Trainer: Bob Baffert; Jockey: Mike Smith
Pedigree: Street Sense-Purse Strings, by Tapit
CROWDED TRADE, Post 4, 10-1
Gotham near-misser and Wood Memorial (G2) third has been compared to the same connections’ 2017 Preakness victor, Cloud Computing.
Owner: Klaravich Stables; Trainer: Chad Brown; Jockey: Javier Castellano
Pedigree: More Than Ready-Maude S, by Jump Start
FRANCE GO DE INA, Post 7, 20-1
Japanese shipper was a slow-starting sixth in the UAE Derby (G2).
Owner: Yuji Inaida; Trainer: Hideyuki Mori; Jockey: Joel Rosario
Pedigree: Will Take Charge-Dreamy Blues, by Curlin
RAM, Post 1, 30-1
Churchill allowance winner on Derby undercard was following up on a $50,000 maiden claiming score.
Owners: Christina Baker and William Mack; Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas; Jockey: Ricardo Santana
Pedigree: American Pharoah-Miner’s Secret, by Mineshaft
RISK TAKING, Post 9, 15-1
Withers (G3) hero, who regressed to seventh in the Wood Memorial, is scratching from Saturday’s Peter Pan (G3) in favor of the Preakness.
Owner: Klaravich Stables; Trainer: Chad Brown; Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Pedigree: Medaglia d’Oro-Run a Risk, by Distorted Humor
ROMBAUER, Post 6, 12-1
Blue Grass third earned a free Preakness ticket by taking the El Camino Real Derby two back.
Owners: John and Diane Fradkin; Trainer: Michael McCarthy; Jockey: Flavien Prat
Pedigree: Twirling Candy-Cashmere, by Cowboy Cal
UNBRIDLED HONOR, Post 8, 15-1
Lexington (G3) runner-up was previously fourth in his stakes debut in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2).
Owner: Whisper Hill Farm; Trainer: Todd Pletcher; Jockey: Luis Saez
Pedigree: Honor Code-Silvery Starlet, by Unbridled’s Song
