Date: May 18, 13
Post:
Purse: $1,000,000
Grade: I
Type: T
Distance: 9.5 Furlongs
Age: 3 Year Olds
Sex: Both
Turf: Dirt

Notes:
The 138 th running of the 2 nd jewel in the Triple Crown drew only eight rivals to face Kentucky Derby champion Orb. While the undesirable rail post for trainer Shug McGaughey s colt may have inspired hope for the others, Orb was made the even-money morning line favorite. His post-Derby recovery and Preakness preparations have left his low-key conditioner gushing and supremely confident. Mylute was a slight surprise as the 5/1 2 nd choice by Pimlico oddsmaker Frank Carulli, largely because he could attract support due to popular jockey Rosie Napravnik. But Mylute deserves consideration on his own merit for a 5 th -place run in the Kentucky Derby and back-to-back triple digit BRIS Speed Ratings. Illinois Derby winner Departing could be the 2 nd wagering choice when the gate opens and his trainer, Al Stall, Jr., knows how to play the spoiler after ending Zenyatta s perfect record when Blame took the 2010 Breeders Cup Classic. The Doug O Neill barn, which won last year s edition with I ll Have Another, will try to recapture Baltimore magic with Santa Anita Derby victor Goldencents, who was eased late when he didn t handle the off track in Louisville. Itsmyluckyday also disappointed in the Run for the Roses, checking in 15 th and more than 22 lengths behind Orb after showing nothing. G3 Sunland Derby hero Govenor Charlie bypassed the Derby after a foot bruise forced him to miss training and has never faced a group of this caliber. At 12/1, Will Take Charge is the shortest price of the D. Wayne Lukas trio. After being checked when a tiring Verrazano began retreating in Louisville, he could attract play from trip handicappers. Stablemate Oxbow also had some trouble in the Derby after looming as a threat and Hall of Famer Gary Stevens retains the mount. Titletown Five is the last of the Lukas entries and least accomplished runner in the field. Coming into this off a 4 th -plae finish in the G3 Derby Trial, he ll need to really step it up to challenge for a placing.
The Preakness Stakes is held on the third Saturday in May of each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is termed as The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans because a horseshoe of black-eyed susans (Rudbeckia hirta), the state flower of Maryland, is placed around the winner s neck. This American thoroughbred Grade I Stakes race of 1 9.5 furlongs for three-year-old horses is popularity.

Eddie Arcaro won Preakness Stakes for six times including two consecutive wins in 1950-51 Pat Day secured five wins setting three consecutive wins in 1994-96 while George Barbee, Bill Hartack and Lloyd Hughes got victory for three times each.

The speed record for the current 1-3/16 miles (1.91 km) Preakness is 1 53 2/5 seconds, which is under the belts of Tank s Prospect (1985), Louis Quatorze (1996) and Curlin (2007).

In 2007, Robby Albarado rode Curlin to clinch the top position. Bernardini in 2006, Afleet Alex in 2005, Smarty Jones in 2004 and Funny Cide in 2003 won the Preakness Stakes.

Record Makers (Trainers)

Robert W. Walden got victory for seven times in The Preakness Stakes while Thomas J. Healey, D. Wayne Lukas got five times each. Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons, Jimmy Jones and Bob Baffert waved their winning flags four times when John Whalen could win thrice.