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.
Next colt up.
Trainer Bob Baffert was hopeful that Rodriguez could run in the Preakness Stakes after recovering from the minor foot ailment that kept him out of the Kentucky Derby. Baffert withdrew him again on May 9, the day after announcing he would run the 2-for-2 Goal Oriented. Both horses have the same ownership group.
It's a big ask for a horse who's making only his third start, never raced beyond 1 1/16 miles, and will have only two weeks between races. This is a reach even for the all-conquering Baffert, winner of a record eight Preakness Stakes. He doesn't sound concerned about going 1 3/16 miles with a quick turnaround.
“No, it won't bother him at all,” he told drf.com. “Some horses are made for it. I think he has a lot of quality.”
Goal Oriented's bloodlines are impeccable. His dam is a half-sister to superstar grass filly Lady Eli, and his maternal grandsire, Afleet Alex, swept the Preakness and Belmont Stakes in 2005. “Brilliance in a pedigree is rare,” co-owner Tom Ryan said, “and there's brilliance in this pedigree.”
Like almost all of Baffert's young horses, Goal Oriented has early speed, which he used going 8 1/2 furlongs in the slop on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs. Yet he's not one-dimensional, because he crushed his debut by 3 1/4 lengths after rallying from sixth early.
“We put him on the lead because we didn't know what to expect with the track,” Baffert said. “I don't think he has to be on the lead.”
Goal Oriented will be overbet because of Baffert and Prat, but would you be surprised if he went wire to wire? Use this likely underlay defensively.
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.
