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The Preakness Stakes 2009 Contenders List Taking Shape
Thirteen race horses are expected for the Preakness Stakes on May 16 at Pimlico Race Course, but a decision on entering superstar filly Rachel Alexandra against the boys won’t be made until she works out.
That could happen Sunday or Monday at Churchill Downs, where she won the Kentucky Oaks by 20 lengths on May 1.
The Preakness field began taking shape Saturday, with race horse trainer William Komlo announcing that Tone It Down will run in the 1 3/16-mile Preakness Stakes 2009. Hall of Fame race horse trainer Shug McGaughey informed race officials that Conservative will not.
“We felt this was a once-in-a-lifetime deal,” race horse trainer William Komlo said. “We are Maryland people and he is a Maryland horse. We don’t know if we can compete, but we are willing to try.”
Maryland Jockey Club officials were told that Rachel Alexandra is scheduled to fly into Baltimore on Wednesday if her owners decide to run her.
Rachel Alexandra is not nominated to the Triple Crown and can only get into the Preakness entries if fewer than 14 pre-nominated Preakness horses are entered and her connections pay a $100,000 supplementary nomination fee.
Pimlico oddsmaker Frank Carulli said he would make Rachel Alexandra the morning line favorite if she enters.
Genuine Risk in 1980 and Winning Colors in 1988, who both came to Baltimore as Kentucky Derby winners, went off as the betting favorites in the Preakness Stakes but didn’t win.
Rachel Alexandra’s owner, Jess Jackson, said jockey Calvin Borel would ride the filly, switching off from his mount on longshot Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.
Bennie Woolley Jr., who trains the Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, said he has a backup rider committed but wouldn’t reveal who it is. Mine That Bird will ship from Churchill Downs to Pimlico on Tuesday.
Joining Rachel Alexandra on her plane from Louisville will be Kentucky Derby runner-up Pioneerof the Nile, Terrain and Hull.
Confirmed Preakness starters are: Mine That Bird, Musket Man, Papa Clem, General Quarters, Flying Private, Big Drama, Hull, Take the Points, Terrain and Tone It Down.
Probable Preakness contenders are: Friesan Fire, Pioneerof the Nile and Rachel Alexandra.
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