130th running; distance 13/16 miles; All starters carry 126 pounds; Total purse $1,000,000
Post time 6:15 p.m.; TV: Ch. 4, 5:00 p.m.
Horses are listed in post position order.
1) MALIBU MOONSHINE 20-1
Chestnut colt, by Malibu Moon (A. P. Indy), out of Time to Coast (Coastal)
. Jockey: Steve Hamilton
Preakness Record: (0) 0 0 0
. Trainer: King Leatherbury
Preakness Record: (3) 0 0 0
Earnings St. 1st 2nd 3rd
2005 (4) 3 0 0 $125,000
2004 (6) 3 0 0 $65,280
Totals (10) 6 0 0 $190,280
CURRENT FORM: Local colt has won 6-of-10 starts, four of those by less than length, for legendary trainer King Leatherbury, including Federico Tesio at Pimlico last out, giving him home-court edge. Comes from off pace.
WORTH A WAGER?: One of several Triple Crown newcomers tackling Grade 1 competition for first time; only one horse since 1983 has won Preakness without running in Kentucky Derby, and Red Bullet was much better than these. Might outfinish half of field, but unlikely to hit board.
2) HIGH FLY 9-2
Chestnut colt, by Atticus (Nureyev), out of Verbasle (Slewpy)
. Jockey: Jerry Bailey
Preakness Record: (14) 2 0 3
. Trainer: Nick Zito
Preakness Record: (13) 1 2 0
Earnings St. 1st 2nd 3rd
2005 (5) 3 0 1 $871,500
2004 (2) 2 0 0 $25,800
Totals (7) 5 0 1 $897,300
CURRENT FORM: Fountain of Youth-Florida Derby winner ran usual gutsy race in Derby off five-week layoff, chasing blistering pace, clawing to lead turning for home, hanging in tough down stretch before tiring final furlong to finish 10th, beaten 7 3/4 lengths.
WORTH A WAGER?: Derby confirmed doubts he wasn’t mile-and-quarter horse; shorter distance of Preakness, more sensible pace scenario and speed-favoring track work to his advantage, and he might be fresher than most. His Derby recalls 1986 effort of Snow Chief, who faded to 11th after making lead, rebounded to win Preakness by four lengths. Bet to win, key 1-2-3 in exotics.
3) NOBLE CAUSEWAY 10-1
Chestnut colt, by Giant’s Causeway (Storm Cat), out of Mimi’s Golden Girl (Seeking the Gold)
. Jockey: Gary Stevens
Preakness Record: (15) 2 2 6
. Trainer: Nick Zito
Preakness Record: (13) 1 2 0
Earnings St. 1st 2nd 3rd
2005 (5) 2 2 0 $235,400
2004 (2) 0 1 0 $10,380
Totals (7) 2 3 0 $245,780
CURRENT FORM: Found best form quickly earlier this year when stretched out to two turns; rallied for second in Florida Derby making stakes debut, then was off five weeks before running in Derby; was checked sharply early in race, never got untracked after that, finishing no-factor 14th.
WORTH A WAGER?: Has license to rebound from Derby considering rough trip and layoff; expect him to reproduce powerful late run he showed at Gulfstream. Zito horses – see Louis Quatorze in 1996 Preakness, Albert the Great in 2000 Travers – noted for firing big shots after running up-track previous start; use in exotics, save to win.
4) GREELEY’S GALAXY 15-1
Chestnut colt, by Mr. Greeley (Gone West), out of Ascot Starre (Ascot Knight)
. Jockey: David Flores
Preakness Record: (0) 0 0 0
. Trainer: Warren Stute
Preakness Record: (0) 0 0 0
Earnings St. 1st 2nd 3rd
2005 (5) 3 0 0 $358,480
2004 (0) 0 0 0 $0
Totals (5) 3 0 0 $358,480
CURRENT FORM: After winning three straight, including Illinois Derby by 9 ½ lengths, was supplemented to Derby for 200G; trained poorly at Churchill, was off slowly, never got involved while getting rough trip, checking in 11th, beaten eight lengths while not being asked late.
WORTH A WAGER?: Was being thrown to tigers off just four starts, none as 2-year-old, in Derby. Can’t see him moving forward off such tough race with so little experience; needs time off, isn’t getting it. Would take miracle to be around at finish.
5) SCRAPPY T 20-1
Dark bay or brown gelding, by Fit to Fight (Chieftain), out of Perpetual Light (Sunny’s Halo)
. Jockey: Ramon Dominguez
Preakness Record: (3) 0 0 0
. Trainer: Robert Bailes
Preakness Record: (0) 0 0 0
Earnings St. 1st 2nd 3rd
2005 (4) 2 0 2 $223,320
2004 (5) 1 4 0 $55,800
Totals (9) 3 4 2 $279,120
CURRENT FORM: Gelding has never been worse than third in nine starts; came to hand last winter over Aqueduct inner dirt track, winning Count Fleet, running third in Whirlaway. Tangled early with Bellamy Road in Wood Memorial before fading to finish distant third, then bounced back to win mile Withers after pressing pace.
WORTH A WAGER?: Does best running on or near lead so figures prominent in early going; presence of several other speed horses insures he’ll be tested from gate. Has yet to show he can compete at this level, but is improving and can get minor share.
6) HAL’S IMAGE 50-1
Dark bay or brown colt, by Halo’s Image (Halo), out of Mia’s Hope (Rexson’s Hope)
. Jockey: Jose Santos
Preakness Record: (3) 1 0 1
. Trainer: Barry Rose
Preakness Record: (0) 0 0 0
Earnings St. 1st 2nd 3rd
2005 (5) 1 1 0 $70,780
2004 (11) 1 1 3 $56,040
Totals (16) 2 2 3 $126,820
CURRENT FORM: Son of Halo’s Image is throwback to days of iron horses; has raced 16 times, most in field, but has won just twice. Comes off 4 3/4-length romp in Unbridled Stakes at Calder, first score since July 2004. Worked bullet five furlongs for this in :59.4.
WORTH A WAGER?: Takes huge step up into graded stakes company for first time; has some early lick but hasn’t shown he can cope with quality speed. Can’t see him hanging around for in-money finish.
7) CLOSING ARGUMENT 5-1
Bay colt, by Successful Appeal (Valid Appeal), out of Mrs. Greeley (Mr. Greeley)
. Jockey: Cornelio Velasquez
Preakness Record: (2) 0 0 0
. Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Preakness Record: (1) 0 0 0
Earnings St. 1st 2nd 3rd
2005 (3) 1 1 1 $565,000
2004 (5) 2 2 1 $421,984
Totals (8) 3 3 2 $986,984
CURRENT FORM: Outran sprinter’s pedigree at 71-1 in Derby, making lead in final furlong, holding for second beaten half-length. Was only horse in race to be close to blazing early pace and still hang around at finish, despite fact Derby was just third start of year.
WORTH A WAGER?: Figures to get plenty of support at windows off giant Derby effort; won’t be worse than third or fourth choice, nowhere near 71-1 again. This will be third race in five weeks after long layoff; doubt he can do it again.
8) GALLOPING GROCER 30-1
Chestnut gelding, by A. P. Jet (Fappiano), out of Little Evie (Northrop)
. Jockey: Joe Bravo
Preakness Record: (2) 0 0 0
.Trainer: Dominick Schettino
Preakness Record: (0) 0 0 0
Earnings St. 1st 2nd 3rd
2005 (4) 0 1 1 $86,708
2004 (4) 3 1 0 $150,400
Totals (8) 3 2 1 $237,108
CURRENT FORM:Was third, beaten half-length last out, going mile in state-bred stakes at Big A as 4-5 favorite.
WORTH A WAGER?: Will be close-up early under Bravo, but nothing he’s done this year suggests he can reproduce 2-year-old form. Needs softer spot; pass.
9) WILKO 10-1
Chestnut colt, by Awesome Again (Deputy Minister), out of Native Roots (Indian Ridge)
. Jockey: Corey Nakatani
Preakness Record: (2) 0 0 0
. Trainer: Craig Dollase
Preakness Record: (0) 0 0 0
Earnings St. 1st 2nd 3rd
2005 (3) 0 0 1 $105,000
2004 (12) 3 2 5 $934,074
Totals (15) 3 2 6 $1,039,074
CURRENT FORM: Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner is winless in four starts since, just 3-for-15 lifetime; best race this year was third in Santa Anita Derby, beaten half-length, 1 ½ lengths clear of Giacomo. Had very wide trip in Derby rallying for sixth but lacked strong stretch punch.
WORTH A WAGER?: Came into Derby with just two starts this year so might have been bit short, and would have been closer but for losing ground on turns. Still, race set up perfectly for him and he failed to take advantage; plodding running style suggests best hope in Preakness is for minor share; could complete super.
10) SUN KING 15-1
Dark bay or brown colt, by Charismatic (Summer Squall), out of Clever But Costly (Clever Trick)
. Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
Preakness Record: (1) 0 0 0
. Trainer: Nick Zito
Preakness Record: (13) 1 2 0
Earnings St. 1st 2nd 3rd
2005 (4) 2 0 0 $207,300
2004 (4) 1 0 2 $244,850
Totals (8) 3 0 2 $452,150
CURRENT FORM: So far, might be most disappointing of this year’s 3-year-olds; after solid juvenile campaign, won first two starts at 3, but then was dull fourth after horrible ride in Blue Grass. Got perfect inside trip in Derby, was moving into contention down backside, then inexplicably went into reverse around far turn, finishing 15th.
WORTH A WAGER?: Ran in Derby like horse who bled, but Zito says problem was more mental than physical. Rider switch might also wake him up. Zito hasn’t lost faith that this colt is better than he’s shown lately, re: Birdstone. Has longshot chance.
11) HIGH LIMIT 12-1
Bay colt, by Maria’s Mon (Wavering Monarch), out of Known Romance (Known Fact)
. Jockey: Edgar Prado
Preakness Record: (7) 0 0 0
. Trainer: Bob Frankel
Preakness Record: (3) 0 0 0
Earnings St. 1st 2nd 3rd
2005 (3) 1 1 0 $510,000
2004 (2) 2 0 0 $42,000
Totals (5) 3 1 0 $552,000
CURRENT FORM: Didn’t make early lead in Blue Grass, was well-beaten second. Last seen being eased, last of 20, in Derby after suffering gash on hind leg.
WORTH A WAGER?: Hall-of-Famer Frankel says Derby is throw-out race, that injury healed nicely. Now gets blinkers on and trainer swears his colt will make early lead under new rider Prado. Not like trainer to run back in two weeks; could hold on to complete trifecta or super.
12) AFLEET ALEX 5-2
Bay colt, by Northern Afleet (Afleet), out of Maggy Hawk (Hawkster)
. Jockey: Jeremy Rose
Preakness Record: (0) 0 0 0
. Trainer: Tim Ritchey
Preakness Record: (1) 0 0 0
Earnings St. 1st 2nd 3rd
2005 (4) 2 0 1 $835,000
2004 (6) 4 2 0 $680,800
Totals (10) 6 2 1 $1,515,800
CURRENT FORM: Classiest, most consistent colt in crop was “buzz” horse of Derby week off strong finish to win Arkansas Derby, then was only highly regarded Derby starter to run his race. Looked like sure winner in deep stretch, settled for close third, beaten by two huge longshots. Might have moved too soon.
WORTH A WAGER?: Shorter distance works to his favor, as does smaller field; could have this bunch over barrel if – and it’s a big IF – hard campaign hasn’t taken toll. On flip side, he’ll be very short price, perhaps low as 8-5, might be due for step backward, and fact remains he’s 5-for-5 in sprint races and 1-for-5 in routes. Proceed with caution.
13) GIACOMO 6-1
Gray or roan colt, by Holy Bull (Great Above), out of Set Them Free (Stop the Music)
. Jockey: Mike Smith
Preakness Record: (8) 1 0 1
. Trainer: John Shirreffs
Preakness Record: (0) 0 0 0
Earnings St. 1st 2nd 3rd
2005 (4) 1 1 1 $1,746,876
2004 (4) 1 1 1 $119,440
Totals (8) 2 2 2 $1,866,316
CURRENT FORM: After string of close-but-no-cigar stakes efforts on West Coast, shipped to Kentucky, came from far back in Derby set up for his stretch run by lightning-fast pace, was along in final strides to win by half-length in trotting-horse time; final half-mile was one of slowest in Derby history.
WORTH A WAGER?:Was Derby victory fluke, or is he getting good at right time? Price will be much, much lower than Derby’s 50-1; old saying goes, “If you missed wedding, skip funeral.” But he always comes with late run, and Derby winners have won six of last eight Preaknesses; must include in exotics.
14) GOING WILD 30-1
Dark bay or brown colt, by Golden Missile (A.P. Indy), out of Pola (Strawberry Road)
. Jockey: Robby Albarado
Preakness Record: (5) 0 1 1
. Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Preakness Record: (30) 5 1 5
Earnings St. 1st 2nd 3rd
2005 (6) 2 1 0 $182,770
2004 (4) 1 2 1 $46,900
Totals (10) 3 3 1 $229,670
CURRENT FORM: Solid form in California over winter went south when he went east; after forcing pace in Wood, Lexington and Derby, he backed up to finish seventh, fifth and 18th, beaten total of 86 lengths.
WORTH A WAGER?: Lukas always most dangerous when he’s under radar, and could hang around longer than expected here, but would be biggest form reversal in Triple Crown history if he hit board.
