Field Taking Shape for $1.5 Million Preakness Stakes at Pimlico

For the fourth consecutive year, the favorite has won the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Nyquist will likely be favored again when they head to the gate in the Preakness Stakes (G1). Owned by Paul Reddam and trained by Doug O’Neill, the bay son of Uncle Mo is an undefeated eight for eight and capped off his Eclipse Award winning two-year-old season with a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Regular rider Mario Gutierrez will be aboard.

Exaggerator gets a rematch after Derby

He will face some familiar rivals in the Preakness Stakes (G1) including Exaggerator, the runner-up in the Run for the Roses. A dark bay son of 2007 Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Curlin, he has been on the board in eight of his ten starts and is trying to earn his fifth victory. Prior to the Kentucky Derby (G1), he romped over an off track in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). Kent Desormeaux, the brother of Exaggerator’s trainer Keith, will be in the irons.

Stradivari has upset potential 

There will also be some new shooters to contend with including the highly-regarded but untested Stradivari. A dark bay son of Medaglia d’Oro, he is stepping up to stakes competition for the first time after two impressive victories. After a fourth-place finish in his debut, he broke his maiden sharply and followed that up with an allowance win at Keeneland. John Velazquez is scheduled to be aboard as the lightly-raced colt.