Horse Racing News

First three from Kentucky Derby expected in Preakness

May 7, 2007, 19:15 GMT

Baltimore, MD - Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense is expected to be joined in the 132nd Preakness Stakes by runner-up Hard Spun and the show horse Curlin. Unlike the Run for the Roses which had 20 three-year- olds start, the second leg in racing's Triple Crown will have no more than 14 starters.

Trainer Carl Nafzger has informed the Maryland Jockey Club that Street Sense will be at Pimlico on Saturday, May 19 for the 1 3/16 mile Preakness Stakes.

'We're ready,' Nafzger told MJC chief executive Joe De Francis. Nafzger, who now has trained two Kentucky Derby winners, sent out 1990 champ Unbridled to finish second in the Preakness.

Larry Jones, trainer of Hard Spun, has no intention of simply letting Street Sense perform a walkover to capture the Preakness Stakes.

'We may have to do something different here if we are going to spoil his Triple Crown,' Jones said. 'I like Carl a lot but I don't intend for him to have the Triple Crown.'

'This is Calvin Borels track (Churchill Downs) and hes hard to beat here,' Jones continued. 'But we are going to (Mario) Pino country and hopefully the Preakness will be a different story.'

Hard Spun's jockey Mario Pino will be making his third appearance in the Preakness. One of Maryland's all-time leading riders, Pino was seventh with Escambia Bay in 1981 and in 2002 finished 10th aboard Menacing Dennis.

Other possible starters from the Run for the Roses are morning line favorite and third place finisher Curlin, Sedgefield who was fifth on Saturday and 17th place finisher Teuflesberg.

Six new entrants are likely for the Preakness: Federico Tesio winner Xchanger, Santa Anita Derby runner-up King of the Roxy, Chelokee who was third in the Florida Derby, C P West, Derby Trial winner Flying First Class and Starbase.

Flying First Class and Starbase are trained by D. Wayne Lukas, and Michael Matz, who trained Barbaro, conditions Chelokee.

Trainer Todd Pletcher had five horses start in this year's Kentucky Derby. He trains King of the Roxy and is still seeking his first win in a Triple Crown Race.

© 2007 The Sports Network