Orb jogs at Belmont on soggy morning

On a rainy Wednesday morning at Belmont Park, Orb went to the racetrack for

the first time since his Kentucky Derby victory last Saturday,

jogging a

mile under exercise rider Jenn Patterson in preparation for the Preakness on

May 18.

"The weather was terrible, so instead of galloping, he just jogged," trainer

Shug McGaughey said. "It was a pretty miserable morning when he went out. But

Jenn said he was feeling good and moving good. All signs are good."

Although plans changed Wednesday due to the muddy track, McGaughey said Orb

will gallop Thursday morning, rain or shine, and is likely to breeze on Monday

before shipping to Pimlico on Tuesday.

After adding a Kentucky Derby victory to his Hall of Fame resume, McGaughey

has been somewhat overwhelmed by the avalanche of congratulations and tributes

to his consummate horsemanship.

"It's hugely appreciated. I appreciated the reception we got in Louisville.

What's happened after the Derby is absolutely mind-boggling and very, very

flattering for me," McGaughey said. "The phone calls, the e-mails, the newspaper

articles have just been absolutely wonderful. Nobody knows how much how I

appreciate this reception."

McGaughey has long been respected for his low-key, no-nonsense approach to

training Thoroughbreds.

"I try to conduct myself in the right way and try to run my stable in the

best possible way. I try to surround myself with good people, who played a role

in this," he said. "I think that people have appreciated that. I had no idea

that a horse race could bring that out."

Trainer Doug O'Neill's Santa Anita Derby winner Goldencents walked the

shedrow at his barn at Pimlico for 30 minutes Wednesday morning. He will return

to the track at 8:30 a.m. (EDT) Thursday morning for the first time since

finishing 17th in the Kentucky Derby.

Goldencents shipped from Kentucky Monday and was the first Preakness

candidate to arrive at Pimlico.

"He's great. He's settled in really well," assistant trainer Jack Sisterson

said. "We're happy with him."

Eleven other horses from O'Neill's stable traveled overnight from Kentucky

and arrived at Pimlico at 4 a.m. Wednesday. Some of them will compete at

Pimlico.

"It depends how they train over the track," Sisterson said. "We expect to run

a few, but we're going to make sure that they're all 100 percent before we make

a decision. They all shipped in well."

Jockey Kevin Krigger, who will be aboard Goldencents when he goes out to jog

Thursday, has a mount on Sunday's program at Pimlico.

Kentucky Derby fifth-place finisher Mylute returned to the track for the

first time since the Run for the Roses with an easy jog early Wednesday morning

at Churchill.

"Everything was fine this morning," trainer Tom Amoss said. "He will gallop

the rest of the week and the partnership will get together Saturday after

training and make a decision on the Preakness."

Governor Charlie came out of his work on Tuesday in fine shape and remains a

prospect for the Preakness, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said Wednesday

morning.

The Midnight Lute colt completed six furlongs on 1:11 2/5 at Churchill Downs.

Following his routine, Baffert will fly in from California and watch the colt

breeze before making the call on whether to enter the Preakness.

"He's going to work Sunday or Monday and then I'll decide," Baffert said. "He

worked really well. He's going to have to convince me when he works again."

Departing galloped 1 1/2 miles on a fast track early Wednesday at Churchill

Downs. Trained by Al Stall Jr., the Illinois Derby winner is scheduled to work

Saturday or Sunday depending on weather. Friday's forecast in Louisville is for

scattered thunderstorms with a 50 percent chance of rain and Saturday's outlook

is for a few showers and a 30 percent chance of rain.

Normandy Invasion, fourth in the Kentucky Derby, Vyjack, 18th in the Derby,

and Street Spice remain candidates for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.

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