Animal Kingdom in Preakness
The three-year-old chestnut colt is a 2-1 betting favorite in a field of 14, the first full lineup for the Preakness since 2005, and English-born trainer Graham Motion likes Animal Kingdom's chances in starting from the No. 11 post.
"I couldn't be happier," Motion said. "I would rather be on the outside than stuck down on the inside."
Animal Kingdom will try to become the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to complete the American treble sweep by sweeping the Derby, the 1 3/16-mile Preakness at Pimlico and the Belmont Stakes on June 11.
"I've followed this in years past and rooted just like anyone else for the Triple Crown horse," Motion said. "I don't want to get too far ahead of myself. We will deal with the Preakness first."
Jockey John Velazquez will be back aboard Animal Kingdom after winning his first Derby in 13 tries on the horse.
Not since Exterminator in 1918 has a horse won the Derby after so few career starts and not since Needles in 1956 has a horse won the Derby after a six-week layoff.
Animal Kingdom's rivals include Dialed In, the Derby favorite who finished eighth at Churchill Downs two weeks ago.
Dialed In was made second favorite at 9-2 and would collect a North American record $6.1 million payout if he wins the Preakness, thanks to a $5.5 million sponsor bonus from winning major Triple Crown tuneups the Florida Derby and Holy Bull Stakes.
Mucho Macho Man, third in the Derby, was third with the oddsmakers at 6-1.
Trainer Todd Pletcher is winless in six tries at the Preakness, including last year's eighth-place showing with 2010 Derby winner Super Saver, but he will have a contender again in Dance City at 12-1 out of the No. 8 post.
"We're optimistic," Pletcher said of a horse that has never finished out of the money in five starts. "The horse has always ran well. We like the post position and we like the way the race sets up. We like what we're seeing."
Others in the field include Astrology, Norman Asbjornson, King Congle, Flashpoint, Shackleford, Sway Away, Midnight Interlude, Isn't He Perfect, Concealed Identity and Mr. Commons.
Source:yahoo
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