The $2 million Preakness Stakes (G1), the second leg of the Triple Crown, is Saturday, May 17, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. The US Racing team has published profiles on each horse in the race, updated with post positions and Preakness Stakes betting odds.
His pedigree says winning at a distance is a piece of cake, so this looks like a nice spot for Clever Again to step up and run in an American classic.
A son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, out of the Galileo mare Flattering, Clever Again comes into the Preakness Stakes with a three-race resume, most recently a maiden win at 1 1/16 miles in February and a win in the Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn Park at 1 mile on March 30.
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen believes the 1 3/16-mile Preakness distance is a good test for his bay colt.
“I expect it (the added distance) to be a benefit to him. He's out of, as mentioned, Flattering, a Galileo mare; winner at a mile-and-a-half,’’ said Asmussen, a two-time Preakness winner – with Curlin in 2007 and Rachel Alexandra in 2009. “You know how far Americans are, both his sire and dam are winners at a mile-and-a-half, and I think that he will relish the distance.”
Clever Again finished second in his career debut in April 2024, then didn’t race again until his maiden win 10 months later. He’s had four timed workouts over the past month at Churchill Downs, most recently going 5 furlongs in 1:01.60 on May 6.
Jose Ortiz will ride Clever Again and will likely be among the frontrunners. Ortiz was aboard for Clever Again’s two victories.
“It does appear to be more pace signed on for the Preakness than in any of his previous races,’’ said Asmussen. “We did work off the company this week, for the possibility of him not being the pace setter, and we're very pleased with how he handled that.”
Should be among the leaders around the far turn, but the question is whether he’s up to the distance task in just his fourth career start. Live longshot.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
