Top Derby Horses Headed to the Preakness Stakes

Now that the Kentucky Derby is a few days in the past, all thoroughbred racing eyes are turning to the Preakness Stakes coming up in less than two weeks … where only one horse has the chance to vie for the Triple Crown. We all wait with baited breath to see if this is the year. I’m actually starting to forget how long it’s been since we’ve had a Triple Crown winner now – 31, 32 years? Big Brown was one of 9 horses since Affirmed in 1978 (33 years!) to win the first two races but lose out in the Belmont. Will Super Saver be the one?

Here’s the quick low-down on the 2010 Preakness Stakes, and what familiar Derby faces you can expect to see there.

The second competition and the shortest of the Triple Crown will be held Saturday, May 15 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, so it’s time to start planning for your Preakness Stakes betting, horse race parties, or at the very least two minutes in front of the TV to watch the race.

The Preakness is the second leg of the the Triple Crown, which has been held 74 years with 11 winners. At a distance of a mile and 3/16, it’s the shortest of the three races.

As to be expected, Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver will be starting in the 2010 Preakness. Super Saver gave owner Todd Pletcher his first Derby win after 24 attempts, and will be aiming to give him his first Preakness win as well.

The field for the Preakness is limited to 14 horses, and it’s looking like all those slots will full come May 15. And it looks likely that the top three Derby finishers – Super Saver, Ice Box, and Paddy O’Prado – will also run in the Preakness.

Ice Box and Paddy O’Prado, ended in the second and third place, respectively, appear as the stronger contenders to compete against Super Saver, who will fight to achieve that second title to get closer to the greatest prize of the thoroughbred racing.

We’re also like to see Derby competitors Noble’s Promise, Lookin At Lucky, Jackson Bend and Conveyance again. Lookin At Lucky was the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby, however he was not so lucky getting stuck with the first position, giving him several issues during the race.

The Preakness always attracts horses who weren’t in the Derby, often those who didn’t have high enough earnings to qualify for it’s more famous partner. Pleasant Prince, third in the Derby Trial is also set for the Preakness Stakes with Caracortado, fourth in the Santa Anita Derby; Schoolyard Dreams, fourth in the Wood Memorial and Turf Melody, who finished fourth in the Illinois Derby.