Nyquist
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: Uncle Mo
Dam: Seeking Gabrielle
Race Records: 8-8-0-0
Gross Earnings: $4,954,200
A bay son of multiple Grade 1 winner and 2010 champion 2-year-old male Uncle Mo, Nyquist kept his perfect record intact by racing near the lead before opening daylight in the stretch and holding off Exaggerator to win the 142nd Kentucky Derby May 7.
The Derby was the eighth win in as many starts for Nyquist, who became the first undefeated horse to capture the first jewel of the Triple Crown with as many victories since Majestic Prince in 1969.
Nyquist was perfect in five starts as a juvenile, earning more than $1.6 million in purses and culiminating with an Eclipse Award as the 2-year-old male champion of 2015. He debuted with a head victory going five furlongs at Santa Anita before a 5 ¼-length score in the Best Pal (G2) in just his second start.
From there he reeled off three consecutive Grade 1 victories over arch-rival Swipe in the Del Mar Futurity, FrontRunner and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, the latter by a half-length following a wide trip in his first try outside of California.
Given a winter break, Nyquist returned to hold off Kentucky Derby rival Exaggerator by 1 ½ lengths in the seven-furlong San Vicente (G2) Feb. 15. In one of the most hyped Derby prep races in recent memory, he went gate-to-wire to beat previously undefeated Mohaymen in the April 2 Florida Derby.
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: Uncle Mo
Dam: Seeking Gabrielle
Race Records: 8-8-0-0
Gross Earnings: $4,954,200
A bay son of multiple Grade 1 winner and 2010 champion 2-year-old male Uncle Mo, Nyquist kept his perfect record intact by racing near the lead before opening daylight in the stretch and holding off Exaggerator to win the 142nd Kentucky Derby May 7.
The Derby was the eighth win in as many starts for Nyquist, who became the first undefeated horse to capture the first jewel of the Triple Crown with as many victories since Majestic Prince in 1969.
Nyquist was perfect in five starts as a juvenile, earning more than $1.6 million in purses and culiminating with an Eclipse Award as the 2-year-old male champion of 2015. He debuted with a head victory going five furlongs at Santa Anita before a 5 ¼-length score in the Best Pal (G2) in just his second start.
From there he reeled off three consecutive Grade 1 victories over arch-rival Swipe in the Del Mar Futurity, FrontRunner and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, the latter by a half-length following a wide trip in his first try outside of California.
Given a winter break, Nyquist returned to hold off Kentucky Derby rival Exaggerator by 1 ½ lengths in the seven-furlong San Vicente (G2) Feb. 15. In one of the most hyped Derby prep races in recent memory, he went gate-to-wire to beat previously undefeated Mohaymen in the April 2 Florida Derby.
Exaggerator
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: Curlin
Dam: Dawn Raid
Race Records: 10-4-3-1
Gross Earnings: $2,071,120
Two weeks after coming up 1 ¼ lengths shy of undefeated Nyquist in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Exaggerator comes to Old Hilltop looking to turn the tables in the Preakness.
A dark bay or brown son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, Exaggerator has yet to beat Nyquist in three tries, also running second in the seven-furlong San Vicente (G2) in the season opener for both horses, and fourth, beaten three lengths, in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) last fall.
Exaggerator won three of six starts at 2, taking the Saratoga Special (G2) in his third career race and stakes debut last August, and capping his juvenile campaign with a neck victory in the Delta Downs Jackpot (G3) in November.
This year, Exaggerator also finished third in the San Felipe (G2) and romped in the slop to a 6 ¼-length score in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) before his try in the Derby, where he overcame traffic trouble from post 11 and came flying late to finish second.
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: Curlin
Dam: Dawn Raid
Race Records: 10-4-3-1
Gross Earnings: $2,071,120
Two weeks after coming up 1 ¼ lengths shy of undefeated Nyquist in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Exaggerator comes to Old Hilltop looking to turn the tables in the Preakness.
A dark bay or brown son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, Exaggerator has yet to beat Nyquist in three tries, also running second in the seven-furlong San Vicente (G2) in the season opener for both horses, and fourth, beaten three lengths, in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) last fall.
Exaggerator won three of six starts at 2, taking the Saratoga Special (G2) in his third career race and stakes debut last August, and capping his juvenile campaign with a neck victory in the Delta Downs Jackpot (G3) in November.
This year, Exaggerator also finished third in the San Felipe (G2) and romped in the slop to a 6 ¼-length score in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) before his try in the Derby, where he overcame traffic trouble from post 11 and came flying late to finish second.
Cherry Wine
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: Paddy O'Prado
Dam: C.S. Royce
Race Records: 8-2-1-2
Gross Earnings: $218,878
Entered but unable to make the starting gate as the second also-eligible for the Kentucky Derby, Cherry Wine is set to take aim instead at the second jewel of the Triple Crown.
A gray or roan son of Paddy O’Prado, who finished third in the Derby and sixth in the Preakness in 2010, Cherry Wine is making his third straight start in stakes company and looking for his first win outside maiden and allowance ranks.
Following an impressive 1 1/16-mile optional claiming allowance victory by six lengths Jan. 9 at Gulfstream Park to kick off his 3-year-old campaign, Cherry Wine finished fourth in the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park March 19 and third in the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland April 9, his most recent start.
Cherry Wine ran four times at three different tracks to open his career last year before breaking through with a 9 ¼-length maiden triumph in the slop last November at Churchill Downs to close his juvenile campaign.
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: Paddy O'Prado
Dam: C.S. Royce
Race Records: 8-2-1-2
Gross Earnings: $218,878
Entered but unable to make the starting gate as the second also-eligible for the Kentucky Derby, Cherry Wine is set to take aim instead at the second jewel of the Triple Crown.
A gray or roan son of Paddy O’Prado, who finished third in the Derby and sixth in the Preakness in 2010, Cherry Wine is making his third straight start in stakes company and looking for his first win outside maiden and allowance ranks.
Following an impressive 1 1/16-mile optional claiming allowance victory by six lengths Jan. 9 at Gulfstream Park to kick off his 3-year-old campaign, Cherry Wine finished fourth in the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park March 19 and third in the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland April 9, his most recent start.
Cherry Wine ran four times at three different tracks to open his career last year before breaking through with a 9 ¼-length maiden triumph in the slop last November at Churchill Downs to close his juvenile campaign.
Laoban
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: Uncle Mo
Dam: Chattertown
Race Records: 5-0-2-1
Gross Earnings: $151,250
Unable to draw into the Kentucky Derby as the first alternate entry, speedy front-running Laoban was pointed to the Preakness where he figures to be an early pace presence.
The Preakness will be the sixth lifetime start for Laoban, each coming at different tracks in California, New York and Kentucky. The dark bay or brown son of Uncle Mo is still seeking his first win.
Though without a victory, Laoban has made his last three starts in graded stakes. He ran third behind fellow Preakness new shooter Collected in the Sham (G3) Jan. 9 to open his 3-year-old season, and set the pace in the March 5 Gotham (G3) before finishing second to Shagaf.
Most recently, Laoban led the way again in the 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass (G1) April 9 at Keeneland after being unprepared at the start, fading to fourth behind Brody’s Cause, My Man Sam – each of whom went on to the Derby – and Preakness contender Cherry Wine.
Pronounced ‘lay-ban,’ the name Laoban means ‘boss’ in Mandarin, Chinese.
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: Uncle Mo
Dam: Chattertown
Race Records: 5-0-2-1
Gross Earnings: $151,250
Unable to draw into the Kentucky Derby as the first alternate entry, speedy front-running Laoban was pointed to the Preakness where he figures to be an early pace presence.
The Preakness will be the sixth lifetime start for Laoban, each coming at different tracks in California, New York and Kentucky. The dark bay or brown son of Uncle Mo is still seeking his first win.
Though without a victory, Laoban has made his last three starts in graded stakes. He ran third behind fellow Preakness new shooter Collected in the Sham (G3) Jan. 9 to open his 3-year-old season, and set the pace in the March 5 Gotham (G3) before finishing second to Shagaf.
Most recently, Laoban led the way again in the 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass (G1) April 9 at Keeneland after being unprepared at the start, fading to fourth behind Brody’s Cause, My Man Sam – each of whom went on to the Derby – and Preakness contender Cherry Wine.
Pronounced ‘lay-ban,’ the name Laoban means ‘boss’ in Mandarin, Chinese.
Collected
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: City Zip
Dam: Helena Bay
Race Records: 6-4-1-0
Gross Earnings: $433,700
Already a multiple graded stakes winner in just six career starts, Collected will try Grade 1 company for the first time in the Preakness.
A chestnut son of City Zip and grandson of Johannesburg, both Grade 1 winners, Collected enters the Preakness on a two-race win streak. He captured the Sunland Park Festival of Racing Stakes March 20 and came back with an impressive four-length score in the Lexington (G3) April 16 at Keeneland.
Collected ran twice at 2, both times on the grass, winning his debut last October at Santa Anita before finishing second in the Cecil B. DeMille (G3) at Del Mar. He rolled to a 1 ¼-length victory in his first try on dirt, the one-mile Sham (G3) Jan. 9 to open his sophomore season.
In his next start, the Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn Park, Collected raced in striking position along the inside and remained in contention on the outside into the far turn before for fourth behind eventual Kentcuky Derby runners Suddenbreakingnews and Whitmore.
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: City Zip
Dam: Helena Bay
Race Records: 6-4-1-0
Gross Earnings: $433,700
Already a multiple graded stakes winner in just six career starts, Collected will try Grade 1 company for the first time in the Preakness.
A chestnut son of City Zip and grandson of Johannesburg, both Grade 1 winners, Collected enters the Preakness on a two-race win streak. He captured the Sunland Park Festival of Racing Stakes March 20 and came back with an impressive four-length score in the Lexington (G3) April 16 at Keeneland.
Collected ran twice at 2, both times on the grass, winning his debut last October at Santa Anita before finishing second in the Cecil B. DeMille (G3) at Del Mar. He rolled to a 1 ¼-length victory in his first try on dirt, the one-mile Sham (G3) Jan. 9 to open his sophomore season.
In his next start, the Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn Park, Collected raced in striking position along the inside and remained in contention on the outside into the far turn before for fourth behind eventual Kentcuky Derby runners Suddenbreakingnews and Whitmore.
Fellowship
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: Awesome Of Course
Dam: Go Girlfriend Go
Race Records: 12-2-3-3
Gross Earnings: $574,715
A hard-trying chestnut son of Awesome of Course, Fellowship heads to the Preakness off a fourth-place finish in the Pat Day Mile (G3), contested on the undercard of the Kentucky Derby (G1) May 7.
Late-running Fellowship has finished in the money in eight of his 12 career starts, the last 11 of them in stakes, following his debut victory last May. He broke through with an eye-catching 4 ½-length victory in the Florida Sire In Reality Stakes last fall at Gulfstream Park, finishing his juvenile campaign running second in the Juvenile Sprint and Smooth Air, both at Gulfstream Park West.
Back at his home base of Gulfstream under previous trainer Stanley Gold, Fellowship opened 2016 finishing fifth in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes Jan. 2 before closing to be third behind then-unbeaten Mohaymen in both the Holy Bull (G2) Jan. 30 and the Fountain of Youth (G2) Feb. 27, and again to Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist in the Florida Derby (G1) April 2.
Fellowship is attempting to become the eighth Florida-bred to win the Preakness and the first since Afleet Alex’s dramatic victory in 2005.
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: Awesome Of Course
Dam: Go Girlfriend Go
Race Records: 12-2-3-3
Gross Earnings: $574,715
A hard-trying chestnut son of Awesome of Course, Fellowship heads to the Preakness off a fourth-place finish in the Pat Day Mile (G3), contested on the undercard of the Kentucky Derby (G1) May 7.
Late-running Fellowship has finished in the money in eight of his 12 career starts, the last 11 of them in stakes, following his debut victory last May. He broke through with an eye-catching 4 ½-length victory in the Florida Sire In Reality Stakes last fall at Gulfstream Park, finishing his juvenile campaign running second in the Juvenile Sprint and Smooth Air, both at Gulfstream Park West.
Back at his home base of Gulfstream under previous trainer Stanley Gold, Fellowship opened 2016 finishing fifth in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes Jan. 2 before closing to be third behind then-unbeaten Mohaymen in both the Holy Bull (G2) Jan. 30 and the Fountain of Youth (G2) Feb. 27, and again to Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist in the Florida Derby (G1) April 2.
Fellowship is attempting to become the eighth Florida-bred to win the Preakness and the first since Afleet Alex’s dramatic victory in 2005.
Uncle Lino
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: Uncle Mo
Dam: Haysee
Race Records: 7-2-2-2
Gross Earnings: $316,160
Having raced exclusively in California through his first seven starts, Uncle Lino became a consideration for the Preakness after his front-running victory April 30 in the California Chrome Stakes. His half-length win came in 1:40.82, breaking the Los Alamitos track record of 1:40.89 set by Dortmund in the 2014 Los Alamatos Futurity (G1).
Named for the uncle of co-owner Tom Mansor, Uncle Lino debuted running second in a Del Mar maiden race last July but emerged with a hind end issue that kept him from racing until late November, graduating with a 2 ¾-length score going 6 ½ furlongs.
Relocated to Santa Anita to begin his 3-year-old year Uncle Lino was third, beaten a neck, in his first try against winners Jan. 3. He stalked and then took the lead before giving way late to Mor Spirit in his stakes debut, the Robert B. Lewis (G3) Feb. 6.
Uncle Lino was again near the front when stepped up to Grade 1 company for the Santa Anita Derby, but was bumped at the quarter pole and wound up third behind Kentucky Derby runner-up Exaggerator and Mor Spirit, 4 ¾ lengths clear of the rest of the field.
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: Uncle Mo
Dam: Haysee
Race Records: 7-2-2-2
Gross Earnings: $316,160
Having raced exclusively in California through his first seven starts, Uncle Lino became a consideration for the Preakness after his front-running victory April 30 in the California Chrome Stakes. His half-length win came in 1:40.82, breaking the Los Alamitos track record of 1:40.89 set by Dortmund in the 2014 Los Alamatos Futurity (G1).
Named for the uncle of co-owner Tom Mansor, Uncle Lino debuted running second in a Del Mar maiden race last July but emerged with a hind end issue that kept him from racing until late November, graduating with a 2 ¾-length score going 6 ½ furlongs.
Relocated to Santa Anita to begin his 3-year-old year Uncle Lino was third, beaten a neck, in his first try against winners Jan. 3. He stalked and then took the lead before giving way late to Mor Spirit in his stakes debut, the Robert B. Lewis (G3) Feb. 6.
Uncle Lino was again near the front when stepped up to Grade 1 company for the Santa Anita Derby, but was bumped at the quarter pole and wound up third behind Kentucky Derby runner-up Exaggerator and Mor Spirit, 4 ¾ lengths clear of the rest of the field.
Awesome Speed
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: Awesome Again
Dam: Speedy Escape
Race Records: 6-4-0-0
Gross Earnings: $223,660
Multiple stakes winner Awesome Speed earned a fees-paid entry to the Preakness by virtue of his victory in the April 9 Federico Tesio Stakes, Maryland’s traditional prep designated for the first time in 2016 as a ‘Win and You’re In’ event for the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown.
In the 1 1/8-mile Tesio, Awesome Speed carried the field from the gate into deep stretch where he was bumped by Governor Malibu and wound up beaten a nose for second. He was promoted to first when Governor Malibu was disqualified for interference.
The Tesio was the third stakes win for Awesome Speed and second in Maryland following the James F. Lewis III Stakes last fall at Laurel Park to close his juvenile season. Three of Awesome Speed’s four career wins have come at Laurel, including a maiden victory last October.
Awesome Speed stretched his win streak to three races with a front-running 1 ¼-length score in the Jan. 2 Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream Park. He returned in the Fountain of Youth (G2), his only previous try against graded company, but lost all chance when slammed on the first turn and wound up fourth.
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: Awesome Again
Dam: Speedy Escape
Race Records: 6-4-0-0
Gross Earnings: $223,660
Multiple stakes winner Awesome Speed earned a fees-paid entry to the Preakness by virtue of his victory in the April 9 Federico Tesio Stakes, Maryland’s traditional prep designated for the first time in 2016 as a ‘Win and You’re In’ event for the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown.
In the 1 1/8-mile Tesio, Awesome Speed carried the field from the gate into deep stretch where he was bumped by Governor Malibu and wound up beaten a nose for second. He was promoted to first when Governor Malibu was disqualified for interference.
The Tesio was the third stakes win for Awesome Speed and second in Maryland following the James F. Lewis III Stakes last fall at Laurel Park to close his juvenile season. Three of Awesome Speed’s four career wins have come at Laurel, including a maiden victory last October.
Awesome Speed stretched his win streak to three races with a front-running 1 ¼-length score in the Jan. 2 Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream Park. He returned in the Fountain of Youth (G2), his only previous try against graded company, but lost all chance when slammed on the first turn and wound up fourth.
Lani
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: Tapit
Dam: Heavenly Romance
Race Records: 7-3-1-0
Gross Earnings: $1,366,618
A stakes-winning colt that has challenged his connections with poor starts and occasionally temperamental behavior, Lani exits the Kentucky Derby where he broke slowly and was bumped early, made a move on the far outside and closed to be ninth in what was his North American debut.
Lani, out of Grade 1-winning sire Tapit, was bred in Kentucky but made his first five starts in Japan, debuting at last fall at 1 ¼ miles. He won two races six days apart in November including the one-mile Cattleya Sho Stakes last fall to cap his juvenile season.
He opened 2016 running fifth in the Hyacinth Stakes, also at one mile, Feb. 21 in Japan before traveling to Dubai to compete on the World Cup program at Meydan. There, he overcame another poor start to win the UAE Derby (G2), run at the Preakness distance of 1 3/16 miles, by three-quarters of a length.
Lani has drawn attention for the Japanese style of training, with long gallops on the track mixed with intervals of short, faster sprints. He is looking to be the first horse to win the UAE Derby and the Preakness.
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: Tapit
Dam: Heavenly Romance
Race Records: 7-3-1-0
Gross Earnings: $1,366,618
A stakes-winning colt that has challenged his connections with poor starts and occasionally temperamental behavior, Lani exits the Kentucky Derby where he broke slowly and was bumped early, made a move on the far outside and closed to be ninth in what was his North American debut.
Lani, out of Grade 1-winning sire Tapit, was bred in Kentucky but made his first five starts in Japan, debuting at last fall at 1 ¼ miles. He won two races six days apart in November including the one-mile Cattleya Sho Stakes last fall to cap his juvenile season.
He opened 2016 running fifth in the Hyacinth Stakes, also at one mile, Feb. 21 in Japan before traveling to Dubai to compete on the World Cup program at Meydan. There, he overcame another poor start to win the UAE Derby (G2), run at the Preakness distance of 1 3/16 miles, by three-quarters of a length.
Lani has drawn attention for the Japanese style of training, with long gallops on the track mixed with intervals of short, faster sprints. He is looking to be the first horse to win the UAE Derby and the Preakness.
Stradivari
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: Medgalia d'Oro
Dam: Bending Strings
Race Records: 3-2-0-0
Gross Earnings: $64,200
An eye-opening winner of his last two races, Stradivari will be making his stakes debut in the Preakness, just his fourth lifetime start and second this year.
Stradivari is a son of Medaglia d’Oro, a multiple Grade 1 winner that ran eighth in the 2002 Preakness but rebounded to win the Travers (G1) and run second in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) that year and was also second in the 2003 Classic.
It wasn’t until last November that Stradivari made his race debut, finishing fourth in a seven-furlong maiden special weight at Aqueduct Racetrack. Less than a month later, he graduated with an 11 ¼-length romp going 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream Park, a race where he was entered for main track only and drew in when it was rained off the turf.
Following that effort, Stradivari wasn’t seen again until rolling by 14 ½ lengths in a 1 1/8-mile allowance event April 17 at Keeneland, a performance that immediately put the Preakness on his radar.
Stradivari will attempt to follow Constitution and Materiality, similarly late-developing horses also trained by Todd Pletcher that made their stakes debuts by winning the Florida Derby (G1) in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: Medgalia d'Oro
Dam: Bending Strings
Race Records: 3-2-0-0
Gross Earnings: $64,200
An eye-opening winner of his last two races, Stradivari will be making his stakes debut in the Preakness, just his fourth lifetime start and second this year.
Stradivari is a son of Medaglia d’Oro, a multiple Grade 1 winner that ran eighth in the 2002 Preakness but rebounded to win the Travers (G1) and run second in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) that year and was also second in the 2003 Classic.
It wasn’t until last November that Stradivari made his race debut, finishing fourth in a seven-furlong maiden special weight at Aqueduct Racetrack. Less than a month later, he graduated with an 11 ¼-length romp going 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream Park, a race where he was entered for main track only and drew in when it was rained off the turf.
Following that effort, Stradivari wasn’t seen again until rolling by 14 ½ lengths in a 1 1/8-mile allowance event April 17 at Keeneland, a performance that immediately put the Preakness on his radar.
Stradivari will attempt to follow Constitution and Materiality, similarly late-developing horses also trained by Todd Pletcher that made their stakes debuts by winning the Florida Derby (G1) in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
Abiding Star
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: Uncle Mo
Dam: Abiding
Race Records: 1-1-1-1
Gross Earnings: $202,385
Winless in six starts as a 2-year-old, Abiding Star has yet to lose since turning 3 with five straight victories including three consecutive stakes.
A bay son of Uncle Mo, Abiding Star has steadily climbed the ranks since breaking his maiden on New Year’s Day 2016 at Laurel Park. He came back to win a Feb. 29 allowance at Parx before returning to Laurel to take the Private Terms March 12 in his stakes debut.
Following that race, the connections of Abiding Star paid $6,000 to make him a late nomination to the Triple Crown with the Preakness in mind. An outbreak of the equine herpesvirus at Parx in April prevented any horses from leaving or entering the grounds, and he was unable to make an anticipated start in the April 9 Federico Tesio at Laurel, a ‘Win and You’re In’ event for the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown.
Abiding Star ran twice during the quarantine period, winning an optional claiming allowance April 12 by 8 ¾ lengths over favored Nasa and the Parx Derby May 7 by 1 ¾ lengths as the heavy favorite.
Lineage: 3 yo. colt
Sire: Uncle Mo
Dam: Abiding
Race Records: 1-1-1-1
Gross Earnings: $202,385
Winless in six starts as a 2-year-old, Abiding Star has yet to lose since turning 3 with five straight victories including three consecutive stakes.
A bay son of Uncle Mo, Abiding Star has steadily climbed the ranks since breaking his maiden on New Year’s Day 2016 at Laurel Park. He came back to win a Feb. 29 allowance at Parx before returning to Laurel to take the Private Terms March 12 in his stakes debut.
Following that race, the connections of Abiding Star paid $6,000 to make him a late nomination to the Triple Crown with the Preakness in mind. An outbreak of the equine herpesvirus at Parx in April prevented any horses from leaving or entering the grounds, and he was unable to make an anticipated start in the April 9 Federico Tesio at Laurel, a ‘Win and You’re In’ event for the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown.
Abiding Star ran twice during the quarantine period, winning an optional claiming allowance April 12 by 8 ¾ lengths over favored Nasa and the Parx Derby May 7 by 1 ¾ lengths as the heavy favorite.
Preakness 2016: Horses, Favorites and Picks for This Year's Field
Jessica Paquette - Bleacher Report
Favorite
Nyquist
There is no question that Nyquist will be the heavy favorite. The past two years, the Kentucky Derby winner has been the favorite in the Run for the Roses, delivered in that race and then parlayed that into a win in the Preakness Stakes, also as the favorite.
Unlike California Chrome or even the great American Pharoah, Nyquist has never lost a race. He has yet to show any weakness, and there is little reason to think he will throw in a clunker on Saturday.
Trainer Doug O'Neill saddled I'll Have Another to win both the Derby and the Preakness in 2004 and was confident in Nyquist in a recent interview with Jonathan Lintner of the Courier-Journal.
"Him being 8-for-8, he shows in the afternoon it doesn’t matter what state, what track, if he gets a semi-clean track and if he gets any chance to get to the wire first, he’s going to give everything he has to get it done."
Contenders
Exaggerator
Exaggerator showed he was the real deal with a furious late charge in the Run for the Roses. He has faced Nyquist several times and has never been able to get the edge over his rival. While the Preakness is run at 1 3/16 miles, a slightly shorter distance than the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby, Exaggerator could benefit from a hotly contested pace with several fresh horses with front-running styles in the race. It is worth noting that his sire, Curlin, won this race in 2007.
Gun Runner
No concrete decision has been made whether or not Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Gun Runner will move on to the Preakness Stakes. If he does, he seems like a legitimate contender. He has won four of his six starts and has done very little wrong in his limited career. He tracked a swift pace in the Derby and showed a lot of class to grudgingly hold on for third. He is a colt who could benefit from the shorter distance of the Preakness Stakes.
Stradivari
Stradivari is unproven and untested at this point. After a fourth-place finish in his career debut, he won his next two starts impressively. Sound familiar? In 2006, Bernardini came into the Preakness Stakes off of a similar path and launched himself into the national spotlight with a victory. Stradivari will be getting a major class test.
Pretenders
Laoban
Laoban, like Trojan Nation in the Kentucky Derby, is a maiden taking on the best horses of his crop. From five starts, Laoban has yet to prove he can win a race, and it is a very ambitious task asking him to notch his first victory against the likes of Nyquist. Can David defeat Goliah here? It seems unlikely. I'm sure there are several maiden races on the card that would be more appropriate.
He will get an equipment change for the Preakness and will compete without blinkers. Trainer Eric Guillot told the Bloodhorse that the hope is to "try to get him to relax instead of pulling the jock around there."
Lani
Lani is a fascinating horse. With unconventional training methods and an international resume, he was an intriguing addition to the Kentucky Derby. With the way he was training leading up to the Kentucky Derby, anything beyond a last-place finish was going to be a pleasant surprise. He finished ninth and, all things considered, did not run a terrible race.
Long Shots
Collected
Trainer Bob Baffert has won the Preakness Stakes six times, most recently with American Pharoah in 2015. He may not have the favorite this year, but he will send out long shot Collected. The speedy colt is in sharp form currently and has won four of his six career starts. He will have some pressure for the lead, but he will be a part of the pace early. The question is whether he is truly a two-turn sort of runner.
Fellowship
Trainer Mark Casse is having a banner year. He recently notched the 2,000th victory of his career and has one of the best horses in the world in his barn in champion Tepin. Now, he will try to add the Preakness to his list of accomplishments and will saddle long shot Fellowship. Fellowship has yet to win a graded stakes race but has been relatively consistent. He will be a big price, and if the Casse magic continues, he could be a surprise.
Early Predictions
Win: Nyquist
Place: Stradivari
Show: Exaggerator
Post-Draw Effect
With the field being practically half the size of the Kentucky Derby, the post-position draw is not nearly as tense or crucial as it is for the Run for the Roses. Nyquist has proven that he can run his race on any racing surface and from any post position, so there is not really a draw that would impact him.
Some of the speed horses such as Laoban and Collected will benefit from an inside draw where they could, in theory, break well and secure an advantageous ground-saving trip on the rail. While the post draw itself is largely inconsequential, the pace scenario of the race is the real story.
Exaggerator, a horse that does his best running from off the pace, could benefit and capitalize on fast early fractions. Nyquist's greatest strength is how tactical he is—he is quick enough to keep up with quick fractions but can launch his winning move from anywhere.
Jessica Paquette - Bleacher Report
Favorite
Nyquist
There is no question that Nyquist will be the heavy favorite. The past two years, the Kentucky Derby winner has been the favorite in the Run for the Roses, delivered in that race and then parlayed that into a win in the Preakness Stakes, also as the favorite.
Unlike California Chrome or even the great American Pharoah, Nyquist has never lost a race. He has yet to show any weakness, and there is little reason to think he will throw in a clunker on Saturday.
Trainer Doug O'Neill saddled I'll Have Another to win both the Derby and the Preakness in 2004 and was confident in Nyquist in a recent interview with Jonathan Lintner of the Courier-Journal.
"Him being 8-for-8, he shows in the afternoon it doesn’t matter what state, what track, if he gets a semi-clean track and if he gets any chance to get to the wire first, he’s going to give everything he has to get it done."
Contenders
Exaggerator
Exaggerator showed he was the real deal with a furious late charge in the Run for the Roses. He has faced Nyquist several times and has never been able to get the edge over his rival. While the Preakness is run at 1 3/16 miles, a slightly shorter distance than the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby, Exaggerator could benefit from a hotly contested pace with several fresh horses with front-running styles in the race. It is worth noting that his sire, Curlin, won this race in 2007.
Gun Runner
No concrete decision has been made whether or not Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Gun Runner will move on to the Preakness Stakes. If he does, he seems like a legitimate contender. He has won four of his six starts and has done very little wrong in his limited career. He tracked a swift pace in the Derby and showed a lot of class to grudgingly hold on for third. He is a colt who could benefit from the shorter distance of the Preakness Stakes.
Stradivari
Stradivari is unproven and untested at this point. After a fourth-place finish in his career debut, he won his next two starts impressively. Sound familiar? In 2006, Bernardini came into the Preakness Stakes off of a similar path and launched himself into the national spotlight with a victory. Stradivari will be getting a major class test.
Pretenders
Laoban
Laoban, like Trojan Nation in the Kentucky Derby, is a maiden taking on the best horses of his crop. From five starts, Laoban has yet to prove he can win a race, and it is a very ambitious task asking him to notch his first victory against the likes of Nyquist. Can David defeat Goliah here? It seems unlikely. I'm sure there are several maiden races on the card that would be more appropriate.
He will get an equipment change for the Preakness and will compete without blinkers. Trainer Eric Guillot told the Bloodhorse that the hope is to "try to get him to relax instead of pulling the jock around there."
Lani
Lani is a fascinating horse. With unconventional training methods and an international resume, he was an intriguing addition to the Kentucky Derby. With the way he was training leading up to the Kentucky Derby, anything beyond a last-place finish was going to be a pleasant surprise. He finished ninth and, all things considered, did not run a terrible race.
Long Shots
Collected
Trainer Bob Baffert has won the Preakness Stakes six times, most recently with American Pharoah in 2015. He may not have the favorite this year, but he will send out long shot Collected. The speedy colt is in sharp form currently and has won four of his six career starts. He will have some pressure for the lead, but he will be a part of the pace early. The question is whether he is truly a two-turn sort of runner.
Fellowship
Trainer Mark Casse is having a banner year. He recently notched the 2,000th victory of his career and has one of the best horses in the world in his barn in champion Tepin. Now, he will try to add the Preakness to his list of accomplishments and will saddle long shot Fellowship. Fellowship has yet to win a graded stakes race but has been relatively consistent. He will be a big price, and if the Casse magic continues, he could be a surprise.
Early Predictions
Win: Nyquist
Place: Stradivari
Show: Exaggerator
Post-Draw Effect
With the field being practically half the size of the Kentucky Derby, the post-position draw is not nearly as tense or crucial as it is for the Run for the Roses. Nyquist has proven that he can run his race on any racing surface and from any post position, so there is not really a draw that would impact him.
Some of the speed horses such as Laoban and Collected will benefit from an inside draw where they could, in theory, break well and secure an advantageous ground-saving trip on the rail. While the post draw itself is largely inconsequential, the pace scenario of the race is the real story.
Exaggerator, a horse that does his best running from off the pace, could benefit and capitalize on fast early fractions. Nyquist's greatest strength is how tactical he is—he is quick enough to keep up with quick fractions but can launch his winning move from anywhere.
The Baltimore Sun
Childs Walker's Sleeper Pick - Exaggerator
It’s only natural that The Baltimore Sun throws in its two cents for this week’s race, and Childs Walker also believes that Exaggerator is the main opposition to Nyquist’s quest for a win in Baltimore.
Walker mentioned one key factor in favor of Exxagerator’s cause, and that’s his jockey in Kent Desormeaux. He’s a two-time winner at Preakness and also has six lifetime wins in Triple Crown races under his belt.
However, The Sun’s reporter also mentioned that Desormeaux is also winless with Exxagerator in four other races that had Nyquist in the mix. Nonetheless, having a mounted master with a solid track record at Pimlico and at Triple Crown events should still work wonders for Exxagerator’s run this week.
Childs Walker's Sleeper Pick - Exaggerator
It’s only natural that The Baltimore Sun throws in its two cents for this week’s race, and Childs Walker also believes that Exaggerator is the main opposition to Nyquist’s quest for a win in Baltimore.
Walker mentioned one key factor in favor of Exxagerator’s cause, and that’s his jockey in Kent Desormeaux. He’s a two-time winner at Preakness and also has six lifetime wins in Triple Crown races under his belt.
However, The Sun’s reporter also mentioned that Desormeaux is also winless with Exxagerator in four other races that had Nyquist in the mix. Nonetheless, having a mounted master with a solid track record at Pimlico and at Triple Crown events should still work wonders for Exxagerator’s run this week.
Bleacher Report
Brian Marron's Sleeper Picks - Exaggerator / Collected / Stradivari
As the runner-up to the Kentucky Derby, Exaggerator is rightfully the competitor with the second-best odds at winning the Preakness with a price of +400.
Brian Marron of Bleacher Report believes that the three-year-old colt has what it takes to thwart Nyquist’s bid at the Triple Crown based on that sizzling runner-up finish at Churchill Downs. The Preakness’ course at Pimlico this week is shorter in distance by one-sixteenth of a mile, though, so B/R’s columnist exclaimed that Exxagerator must get off to a hot start rather than come back from behind with a flurry again like at the Kentucky Derby.
Marron is also high on Collected (+2,800) – Bob Baffert’s best bet in this year’s edition of the Triple Crown. Sure, Collected is nothing like Baffert’s American Pharoah from last year, but there’s no denying that the esteemed trainer knows a great deal about winning Triple Crown races, alright. Throw in the fact that Collected enters Pimlico with fresh legs after sitting out the Kentucky Derby, and Baffert could very well tie R. Wyndham Walden’s record of seven wins at Preakness this weekend indeed.
Brian Marron's Sleeper Picks - Exaggerator / Collected / Stradivari
As the runner-up to the Kentucky Derby, Exaggerator is rightfully the competitor with the second-best odds at winning the Preakness with a price of +400.
Brian Marron of Bleacher Report believes that the three-year-old colt has what it takes to thwart Nyquist’s bid at the Triple Crown based on that sizzling runner-up finish at Churchill Downs. The Preakness’ course at Pimlico this week is shorter in distance by one-sixteenth of a mile, though, so B/R’s columnist exclaimed that Exxagerator must get off to a hot start rather than come back from behind with a flurry again like at the Kentucky Derby.
Marron is also high on Collected (+2,800) – Bob Baffert’s best bet in this year’s edition of the Triple Crown. Sure, Collected is nothing like Baffert’s American Pharoah from last year, but there’s no denying that the esteemed trainer knows a great deal about winning Triple Crown races, alright. Throw in the fact that Collected enters Pimlico with fresh legs after sitting out the Kentucky Derby, and Baffert could very well tie R. Wyndham Walden’s record of seven wins at Preakness this weekend indeed.
SportBet
Josh Bailey's Sleeper Pick - Stradivari
Like Bleacher Report’s Marron from earlier, Josh Bailey from SportBet took notice of Stradivari as the +2,000 dark horse pick (no pun intended) in this week’s race. Bailey saw a ton of potential from this new shooter, particularly from the young colt’s victory at Keeneland on April 17 that saw him win that race by 14-and-a-half lengths.
Although that one race is a small sample size to work with, the talent and ability to close out races is apparently there already. Stradivari wasn’t present at the Kentucky Derby earlier this month either, meaning he’ll also be relatively fresh coming out of Pimlico’s gates.
If you like to bet on the hottest of contenders entering a particular event, then look no further than Stradivari to possibly pull off a shocking and blazing victory at Preakness this Saturday.
Josh Bailey's Sleeper Pick - Stradivari
Like Bleacher Report’s Marron from earlier, Josh Bailey from SportBet took notice of Stradivari as the +2,000 dark horse pick (no pun intended) in this week’s race. Bailey saw a ton of potential from this new shooter, particularly from the young colt’s victory at Keeneland on April 17 that saw him win that race by 14-and-a-half lengths.
Although that one race is a small sample size to work with, the talent and ability to close out races is apparently there already. Stradivari wasn’t present at the Kentucky Derby earlier this month either, meaning he’ll also be relatively fresh coming out of Pimlico’s gates.
If you like to bet on the hottest of contenders entering a particular event, then look no further than Stradivari to possibly pull off a shocking and blazing victory at Preakness this Saturday.
Preakness Stakes betting odds horse-by-horse preview and picks
from MONIQUE VÁG
1. Cherry Wine (Jockey - Corey Lanerie, 20/1): Was Kentucky Derby eligible but didn't draw in. This horse is a deep closer with his only win coming in an allowance race. His last start in the Blue Grass was decent, but he hasn't faced the quality of these horses yet. I think this is a huge step up in class and if anyone is going to beat Nyquist, I don't think it will be someone already giving up so many lengths. I haven't seen enough out of him yet to think he has any kind of shot.
2. Uncle Lino (Fernando Perez, 20/1): A less popular horse out of sire Uncle Mo. I don't mind that he's a speed horse, and I think if the speed is holding well there's a possibility he hangs around to complete a trifecta/superfecta wager. He still ran well in the Santa Anita Derby in the slop, given the blistering pace Danzing Candy set.
3. Nyquist (Mario Gutierrez, 3/5): He showed the ability to stay near a fast pace early and a great ability to rate all while handling the mile and a quarter distance with ease. I think he drew perfectly to position himself close to the front, but stay out of pace trouble early. Derby winners have historically performed well at Pimlico with seven of the past 14 winners repeating. He's clearly the most talented and proven three year old and I don't see him getting beaten outright.
4. Awesome Speed (Jevian Toledo, 30-1): He hasn't really shown much to believe he has much of a shot in the Preakness. He likes the lead, but he isn't a particularly fast horse. This may lead to a battle upfront and a blistering fast opening quarter where any of those horses involved will almost surely not stick around late. He received an automatic bid by winning (via disqualification) a stakes race at Laurel. He was no match for these quality horses in the Fountain of Youth. I'm tossing.
5. Exaggerator (Kent Desormeaux, 3-1): If, hypothetically, the track is listed as sloppy it's hard to discount his eye-catching win in the Santa Anita Derby. Was it that he really loved the mud that much? Was it that Danzing Candy went too fast upfront and gifted the race to closers? Perhaps it's a combination of both. I definitely think that would be the best case scenario for him to beat Nyquist.
6. Lani (Yutaka Take, 30-1): He ran OK in the Kentucky Derby after breaking slow and racing eight-wide, but he also found himself in a great pace setup which worked well for closers. He's won on short rest - six days - in Japan last year. I think the pace upfront with lots of horses favoring the lead works well for a closer like Lani in here. I think he's capable to hit some exotics barring good temperament in the walking ring and post parade.
7. Collected (Javier Castellano, 10-1): Baffert claims their intention with this one was to skip the Kentucky Derby and race him in the Preakness. I like that he's shown good speed, but my biggest concern is the ability to maintain that throughout. Distance is a question. He's never ran against these quality horses going over a mile. He also hasn't really beaten anyone of this caliber. It's a tough test, but I give him a decent shot.
8. Laoban (Florent Geroux, 30-1): Another son of Uncle Mo, but this one certainly pales in comparison to the other two. This colt is winless over five starts and connections have chosen to remove blinkers. He exits the Blue Grass stakes where he ran fourth. It doesn't bode well that the horses finishing ahead of him in that were nowhere to be found in the Derby.
9. Abiding Star (J.D. Acosta, 30-1): He enters the Preakness off a five-race winning streak. He's never raced beyond a mile or in any graded stakes race. Connections have chosen to run him for the most part at Laurel and Parx. I don't think he'll ship well and he hasn't shown me anything to believe he's not a "need to lead" horse. I think he's in for a rude awakening here. I can't find anything I like.
10. Fellowship (Jose Lezcano, 30-1): I think with a lot of speed on the outside, this one could work out a nice trip mid pack. I think he'll certainly be given every shot to try and run down horses in the stretch. He ran well in the Florida Derby finishing third to Nyquist over wet conditions. I definitely think that was his best race. He was recently claimed by Mark Casse and he will be a horse who gets to race the way he wants. He has a big shot at out-running his odds. He's a must include in exotics.
11. Stradivari (John Velazquez, 8-1): He's coming off of two double-digit romps against much easier company. It's difficult to gauge how well he will perform against graded stakes company or how good he really is. He physically looks great, his breeding is wonderful and he boasts some of the top connections in the business.
Selections: 1. Nyquist 2. Fellowship 3. Exaggerator 4. Stradivari
from MONIQUE VÁG
1. Cherry Wine (Jockey - Corey Lanerie, 20/1): Was Kentucky Derby eligible but didn't draw in. This horse is a deep closer with his only win coming in an allowance race. His last start in the Blue Grass was decent, but he hasn't faced the quality of these horses yet. I think this is a huge step up in class and if anyone is going to beat Nyquist, I don't think it will be someone already giving up so many lengths. I haven't seen enough out of him yet to think he has any kind of shot.
2. Uncle Lino (Fernando Perez, 20/1): A less popular horse out of sire Uncle Mo. I don't mind that he's a speed horse, and I think if the speed is holding well there's a possibility he hangs around to complete a trifecta/superfecta wager. He still ran well in the Santa Anita Derby in the slop, given the blistering pace Danzing Candy set.
3. Nyquist (Mario Gutierrez, 3/5): He showed the ability to stay near a fast pace early and a great ability to rate all while handling the mile and a quarter distance with ease. I think he drew perfectly to position himself close to the front, but stay out of pace trouble early. Derby winners have historically performed well at Pimlico with seven of the past 14 winners repeating. He's clearly the most talented and proven three year old and I don't see him getting beaten outright.
4. Awesome Speed (Jevian Toledo, 30-1): He hasn't really shown much to believe he has much of a shot in the Preakness. He likes the lead, but he isn't a particularly fast horse. This may lead to a battle upfront and a blistering fast opening quarter where any of those horses involved will almost surely not stick around late. He received an automatic bid by winning (via disqualification) a stakes race at Laurel. He was no match for these quality horses in the Fountain of Youth. I'm tossing.
5. Exaggerator (Kent Desormeaux, 3-1): If, hypothetically, the track is listed as sloppy it's hard to discount his eye-catching win in the Santa Anita Derby. Was it that he really loved the mud that much? Was it that Danzing Candy went too fast upfront and gifted the race to closers? Perhaps it's a combination of both. I definitely think that would be the best case scenario for him to beat Nyquist.
6. Lani (Yutaka Take, 30-1): He ran OK in the Kentucky Derby after breaking slow and racing eight-wide, but he also found himself in a great pace setup which worked well for closers. He's won on short rest - six days - in Japan last year. I think the pace upfront with lots of horses favoring the lead works well for a closer like Lani in here. I think he's capable to hit some exotics barring good temperament in the walking ring and post parade.
7. Collected (Javier Castellano, 10-1): Baffert claims their intention with this one was to skip the Kentucky Derby and race him in the Preakness. I like that he's shown good speed, but my biggest concern is the ability to maintain that throughout. Distance is a question. He's never ran against these quality horses going over a mile. He also hasn't really beaten anyone of this caliber. It's a tough test, but I give him a decent shot.
8. Laoban (Florent Geroux, 30-1): Another son of Uncle Mo, but this one certainly pales in comparison to the other two. This colt is winless over five starts and connections have chosen to remove blinkers. He exits the Blue Grass stakes where he ran fourth. It doesn't bode well that the horses finishing ahead of him in that were nowhere to be found in the Derby.
9. Abiding Star (J.D. Acosta, 30-1): He enters the Preakness off a five-race winning streak. He's never raced beyond a mile or in any graded stakes race. Connections have chosen to run him for the most part at Laurel and Parx. I don't think he'll ship well and he hasn't shown me anything to believe he's not a "need to lead" horse. I think he's in for a rude awakening here. I can't find anything I like.
10. Fellowship (Jose Lezcano, 30-1): I think with a lot of speed on the outside, this one could work out a nice trip mid pack. I think he'll certainly be given every shot to try and run down horses in the stretch. He ran well in the Florida Derby finishing third to Nyquist over wet conditions. I definitely think that was his best race. He was recently claimed by Mark Casse and he will be a horse who gets to race the way he wants. He has a big shot at out-running his odds. He's a must include in exotics.
11. Stradivari (John Velazquez, 8-1): He's coming off of two double-digit romps against much easier company. It's difficult to gauge how well he will perform against graded stakes company or how good he really is. He physically looks great, his breeding is wonderful and he boasts some of the top connections in the business.
Selections: 1. Nyquist 2. Fellowship 3. Exaggerator 4. Stradivari
