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.
Better late than never.
The Preakness may not have the Kentucky Derby (G1) winner in the field, but runner-up Journalism will do just fine in adding a little more interest in betting the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.
Winner of the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 5, Journalism came to Louisville as a well-deserved 3-1 favorite. Under Umberto Rispoli and racing over a sloppy track for the first time, Journalism was outkicked by Sovereignty and finished 1 ½ lengths back in second.
The decision to run him back two weeks later in the Preakness Stakes didn’t come until Sunday (May 11), but the owners and trainer, Michael McCarthy, wanted to make sure their star was in tiptop shape to take on another Classic.
Journalism was bumped at the start of the Derby, leaving from post 8, and didn’t find his top game until turning for home, when at one point he came within a head of Sovereignty.
Journalism comes into the Preakness with four wins, a second, and a third in six starts. His gallops over the Churchill Downs track last week gave McCarthy confidence that he has a strong chance to add a Classic win to his resume.
Journalism's versatility looks like an edge in a race with a mix of frontrunners and few closers.
"I've taken a peek at the probables, it's a competitive spot," McCarthy told BloodHorse.com. “It looks like there's a little bit of pace in there, you'd expect that. It's a Triple Crown race, you expect it to be competitive.”
No sure thing, but this sets up nicely for the versatile and talented Journalism. Winner.
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.
