December 7, 2024

Get to know the 2021 Preakness Stakes contenders

Preakness scenic from Pimlico (Photo by Cecilia Gustavsson/Horsephotos.com)

***UPDATED with post positions and odds

Medina Spirit’s gutsy victory in the Kentucky Derby (G1) has come under the microscope after a positive postrace test for betamethasone. But the rags-to-riches colt will get his chance to follow up in Saturday’s Preakness S. (G1) at Pimlico.

Trainer Bob Baffert, who notched a record seventh Derby win, now seeks to break the Preakness record as well. The Hall of Famer has won seven, tied with 19th-century trainer Robert Wyndham Walden, and an eighth would put him alone atop the all-time standings.

Baffert has two chances at that record, with Concert Tour also set for Baltimore since skipping the Derby. Most of the contenders are “new shooters,” as only two of the Derby vanquished are back for the middle jewel.

Here’s the Preakness cast:

Kentucky Derby alumni

MEDINA SPIRIT, Post 3, 9-5

Underestimated after seconds in the San Felipe (G2) and Santa Anita Derby (G1), 12-1 shot in the Kentucky Derby went to the lead and repelled all comers.

Owner: Zedan Racing Stables; Trainer: Bob Baffert; Jockey: John Velazquez

Pedigree: Protonico-Mongolian Changa, by Brilliant Speed

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MIDNIGHT BOURBON, Post 5, 5-1

Kentucky Derby sixth was surprisingly never close to the pace, after using his early speed to win the Lecomte (G3) and place in the Risen Star (G2) and Louisiana Derby (G2).

Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds; Trainer: Steve Asmussen; Jockey: Irad Ortiz

Pedigree: Tiznow-Catch the Moon, by Malibu Moon

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KEEPMEINMIND, Post 2, 15-1

Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) third rallied from last to take seventh in the Derby.

Owners: Spendthrift Farm, Cypress Creek & Arnold Bennewith; Trainer: Robertino Diodoro; Jockey: David Cohen

Pedigree: Laoban-Inclination, by Victory Gallop

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Triple Crown newcomers

CONCERT TOUR, Post 10, 5-2

Rebel (G2) conqueror comes off his first loss, a weary third as the 3-10 favorite in the Arkansas Derby.

Owner: Gary and Mary West; Trainer: Bob Baffert; Jockey: Mike Smith

Pedigree: Street Sense-Purse Strings, by Tapit

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CROWDED TRADE, Post 4, 10-1

Gotham near-misser and Wood Memorial (G2) third has been compared to the same connections’ 2017 Preakness victor, Cloud Computing.

Owner: Klaravich Stables; Trainer: Chad Brown; Jockey: Javier Castellano

Pedigree: More Than Ready-Maude S, by Jump Start

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FRANCE GO DE INA, Post 7, 20-1

Japanese shipper was a slow-starting sixth in the UAE Derby (G2).

Owner: Yuji Inaida; Trainer: Hideyuki Mori; Jockey: Joel Rosario

Pedigree: Will Take Charge-Dreamy Blues, by Curlin

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RAM, Post 1, 30-1

Churchill allowance winner on Derby undercard was following up on a $50,000 maiden claiming score.

Owners: Christina Baker and William Mack; Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas; Jockey: Ricardo Santana

Pedigree: American Pharoah-Miner’s Secret, by Mineshaft

RISK TAKING, Post 9, 15-1

Withers (G3) hero, who regressed to seventh in the Wood Memorial, is scratching from Saturday’s Peter Pan (G3) in favor of the Preakness.

Owner: Klaravich Stables; Trainer: Chad Brown; Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Pedigree: Medaglia d’Oro-Run a Risk, by Distorted Humor

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ROMBAUER, Post 6, 12-1

Blue Grass third earned a free Preakness ticket by taking the El Camino Real Derby two back.

Owners: John and Diane Fradkin; Trainer: Michael McCarthy; Jockey: Flavien Prat

Pedigree: Twirling Candy-Cashmere, by Cowboy Cal

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UNBRIDLED HONOR, Post 8, 15-1

Lexington (G3) runner-up was previously fourth in his stakes debut in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2).

Owner: Whisper Hill Farm; Trainer: Todd Pletcher; Jockey: Luis Saez

Pedigree: Honor Code-Silvery Starlet, by Unbridled’s Song

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