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Preakness preview

The field

1. Macho Again

Odds 20-1

Sandra McKee's comment: The Derby Trial, which Macho Again won, has sent numerous horses to Pimlico but none has finished better than second.

Worth noting: Appears to like dirt, finishing first or second in five of six dirt starts, and showed fight in winning the Derby Trial.

Jockey: Julien Leparoux

Owner(s): West Point Thoroughbreds

Trainer: Dallas Stewart

Breeding: Bred in Florida, foaled Feb. 25, 2005, by Macho Uno out of Go Donna Go

Record (earnings): 2008 -- 4 starts, 2 wins ($98,569). 2007 -- 4 starts, 1 win, 2 places ($45,192)

2. Tres Borrachos

Odds 30-1

Sandra McKee's comment: Trainer believes a fast Pimlico track should suit his gelding.

Worth noting: Trainer C. Beau Greely believes Preakness is ideal for this horse because of his early speed and the tight turns that Pimlico features.

Jockey: Tyler Baze

Owner(s): C. Beau Greely, John Greely IV and Phil Houchens

Trainer: C. Beau Greely

Breeding: Bred in Kentucky, foaled March 26, 2005, by Ecton Park out of Pete's Fancy

Record (earnings): 2008 -- 3 starts, 2 shows ($127,000). 2007 -- 4 starts, 1 win, 1 show ($32,200)

3. Icabad Crane

Odds 30-1

Sandra McKee's comment: Jockey likes the No. 3 post. Horse won on the same track his last time out.

Worth noting: His victory in Pimlico's Federico Tesio Stakes makes him a viable prospect for the Preakness.

Jockey: Jeremy Rose

Owner(s): Earle I. Mack

Trainer: Graham Motion

Breeding: Bred in New York, foaled April 9, 2005, by Jump Start out of Adorahy

Record (earnings): 2008 -- 3 starts, 2 wins, 1 show ($97,800). 2007 -- 1 start, 1 win ($27,600)

4. Yankee Bravo

Odds 15-1

Sandra McKee's comment: Ran third to Pyro in Louisiana. Trainer says his horse will "try his best."

Worth noting: Jockey Alex Solis stepped onto the national stage when he won the 1986 Preakness aboard Snow Chief.

Jockey: Alex Solis

Owner(s): Harlequin Ranches, David Beinstock, Charles Winner and Richard Duggan

Trainer: Paddy Gallagher

Breeding: Bred in Kentucky, foaled March 12, 2005, by Yankee Gentleman out of Vickey Jane

Record (earnings): 2008 -- 3 starts, 1 win, 1 show ($195,000). 2007 -- 2 starts, 2 wins ($52,049)

6. Racecar Rhapsody

Odds 30-1

Sandra McKee's comment: Has been fourth in his past three races. Trainer hopes to make Big Brown work.

Worth noting: Horse is looking for his first graded stakes victory.

Jockey: Robby Albarado

Owner(s): Jerry L. Carroll, Stan Kaplan, Ronald Plattner and Mark Guilfoyle

Trainer: Ken McPeek

Breeding: Bred in Kentucky, foaled Feb. 15, 2005, by Tale of the Cat out of Reflect the Music

Record (earnings): 2008 -- 2 starts ($40,000). 2007 -- 4 starts, 1 win, 1 place, 1 show ($108,391)

7. Big Brown

Odds 1-2

Sandra McKee's comment: The trainer and jockey know Pimlico well, and the horse knows how to run.

Worth noting: Has won every race he has started in, including the Kentucky Derby.

Jockey: Kent Desormeaux

Owner(s): IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa

Trainer: Rick Dutrow

Breeding: Bred in Kentucky, foaled April 10, 2005, By Boundry out of Mien

Record (earnings): 2008 -- 3 starts, 3 wins ($2,076,700). 2007 -- 1 start, 1 win ($37,800)

8. Kentucky Bear

Odds 15-1

Sandra McKee's comment: If the confidence and support of the trainer count, this horse will be on Big Brown's tail.

Worth noting: Won his debut at Gulfstream Park but then finished seventh and third in the Fountain of Youth and at Keeneland, respectively.

Jockey: Jamie Theriot

Owner(s): Bear Stables

Trainer: Reade Baker

Breeding: Bred in Kentucky, foaled April 10, 2005, by Mr. Greeley out of Tate

Record (earnings): 2008 -- 3 starts, 1 win, 1 show ($100,200)

9. Stevil

Odds 30-1

Sandra McKee's comment: A long shot, but Nick Zito says Stevil has never run a bad race and will run a good one today.

Worth noting: Finished fourth in the Blue Grass and didn't earn enough money to enter the Kentucky Derby.

Jockey: John Velazquez

Owner(s): Robert LaPenta

Trainer: Nick Zito

Breeding: Bred in Kentucky, foaled Feb. 28, 2005, by Maria's Mon out of Company Storm

Record (earnings): 2008 -- 4 starts, 1 place, 1 show ($62,165). 2007 -- 2 starts, 1 win ($33,700)

10. Riley Tucker

Odds 30-1

Sandra McKee's comment: He's fresh, having not raced since April 19. But is he fresh enough?

Worth noting: The horse made his 2008 debut in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park

Jockey: Edgar Prado

Owner(s): Zayat Stables

Trainer: Bill Mott

Breeding: Bred in Kentucky, foaled March 13, 2005, by Harlan's Holliday out of My Sweet Country

Record (earnings): 2008 -- 4 starts, 2 places, 1 show ($75,500). 2007 -- 3 starts, 1 win, 1 place, 1 show ($85,600)

11. Giant Moon

Odds 30-1

Sandra McKee's comment: Ramon Dominguez, who earned two leading rider titles at Pimlico this decade, will try to find a swift way around the track.

Worth noting: Trainer Richard E. Schosberg decided that rather than racing in the Withers Stakes, Giant Moon would aim for the Preakness.

Jockey: Ramon Dominguez

Owner(s): Albert Fried Jr.

Trainer: Richard E. Schosberg

Breeding: Bred in New York, foaled Feb. 23, 2005, by Giant's Causeway out of Moonlightandbeauty

Record (earnings): 2008 -- 3 starts, 1 win ($87,665). 2007 -- 3 starts, 3 wins ($135,870)

12. Gayego

Odds 8-1

Sandra McKee's comment: Scared by the crowd in the Derby stretch, he will wear blinkers here for focus. Has speed. Should like the smaller field.

Worth noting: Never finished lower than second until coming in 17th at the Kentucky Derby.

Jockey: Mike Smith

Owner(s): Cubanacan Stables

Trainer: Paulo Lobo

Breeding: Bred in Kentucky, foaled March 26, 2005, by Gilded Time out of Devils Lake

Record (earnings): 2008 -- 4 starts, 2 wins, 1 place ($687,920). 2007 -- 2 starts, 1 win, 1 place ($35,600)

13. Hey Byrn

Odds 20-1

Sandra McKee's comment: Trainer thinks his horse can handle the No. 13 starting post, though no horse has won this race from the position.

Worth noting: Didn't make the Kentucky Derby field because of a lack of graded-stakes earnings.

Jockey: C.C. Lopez

Owner(s): Beatrice Oxenberg

Trainer: Eddie Plesa

Breeding: Bred in Florida, foaled March 6, 2005, by Put it Back out of Restraining Order

Record (earnings): 2008 -- 4 starts, 3 wins ($201,200). 2007 -- 4 starts, 1 win, 2 places ($64,000)


Note: The 5 horse, Behindatthebar, was scratched.

Research by Gilad Berkowitz and Will Beaudouin.

Related topic galleries: Gulfstream, Earnings, Kentucky Derby, Big Brown, Equestrian, Mike Smith, West Point

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