Preakness Update: Derby Winner Mage on Track; Forte, Two Phil’s Out

By US Racing Team

At least Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage is still on course to run in the $1.5 million Preakness (G1) at Pimlico Race Course on May 20.

The same can’t be said for scratched morning-line Derby favorite Forte, Derby runner-up Two Phil’s, and several other early contenders for the second leg of the Triple Crown.

The field for the Preakness is starting to take shape this week with about 10-12 3-year-olds a decent guess for the number of starters.

Mage was out for a jog and gallop in the slop at Churchill Downs on Tuesday (May 9) after two days off following his 1-length victory in the Derby at 15-1 odds.

“So far so good,” Gustavo Delgado Jr., son of and assistant to trainer Gustavo Delgado, said. “Everything after the race has been very nice for him. He’s eating everything. He went out for a jog and gallop today, and his way coming back, you could tell he wanted to do more. But so far, he needs to have all things quiet, so we’re going to keep an eye on that, so he doesn’t do too much.”

Apparently, Forte won’t run in the Preakness after the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) advised that the colt is on the 14-day ‘veterinarian’s list’ and ineligible to run during that time (Preakness included). The Todd Pletcher-trainee was scratched hours before the race by state stewards due to a foot bruise.

On Tuesday, Pletcher asked for clarity on the situation

“I read the statement put out; that’s really all I know at this point,” Pletcher said. “I was surprised, maybe not floored, but surprised. We’re seeking some more clarity. Until we get it, we really don’t know what our status is. According to that, we would not be eligible to run in the Preakness.”

Two Phil’s is back home at Hawthorne Park in Chicago and trainer Larry Rivelli says his colt will get a rest and pass on the Preakness.

Only two other Derby runners are currently under consideration for the Preakness — Disarm (fourth) and Confidence Game (10). New shooters include Blazing Sevens, First Mission, Perform, Red Route One, Chase the Chaos, and National Treasure.

Like Mage, both Blazing Sevens and Perform are sons of Good Magic. Blazing Sevens ran third in the Blue Grass (G1) in his last race (April 21) and will have put in four workouts before the Preakness. He is trained by Chad Brown, who won last year’s Preakness with Early Voting.

“(Blazing Sevens) is coming into the race fresh,” Brown said. “He is coming in with a full tank of gas. Off his most recent work I see him moving forward off the Blue Grass. The horse is as good as I have ever seen him.”

Perform will give Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey his first Preakness start since 2013. Winner of the Federico Tesio at Laurel on April 15, the owners ponied up a $150,00 supplemental entry fee to get into the race.

McGaughey’s last Preakness starter was Derby winner Orb, who finished fourth.

Trainer Brad Cox will go with First Mission in the Preakness, and his four Derby starters, including third-place finisher Angel of Empire, will get some rest. The colt won the Lexington (G3) at Keeneland on April 15.

So far, Confidence Game is still in the picture. Trainer Keith Desormeaux said the 3-year-old will resume working Wednesday and his energy level by the weekend will determine his status.

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen is set to run Red Route One in the race, and possibly Disarm.

Red Route One earned a fees-paid berth in the 1 3/16-mile Preakness by winning Oaklawn Park’s Bath House Row Stakes. He was second in the Southwest (G3) and the Rebel (G2) before running sixth in the Arkansas Derby (G1).

Chase the Chaos, trained by Ed Moger, Jr. confirmed his Pennsylvania-bred gelding is Preakness bound. The horse earned a fees-paid berth to the race with a win in the El Camino Real Derby on Feb. 11 at Golden Gate Fields.

2023 Preakness Stakes Post Positions and Odds