Honor Grades was the only one of the seven Preakness hopefuls stabled at Pimlico Race Course to undertake any serious work yesterday morning.

The Danzig colt, trained by Carroll County native Rodney Rash, went six furlongs in 1 minute, 13 2/5 seconds with Danny Sorenson up.

Rash said Chris McCarron will ride the colt in the May 18 Preakness.

Honor Grades, owned by the Summa Stable of Bruce McNall and partners, finished second in the Derby Trial in his most recent start.

Rash, 31, resigned as a longtime assistant to Charlie Whittingham several weeks ago to begin training on his own. When he saddled Honor Grades for the Derby Trial, it was his first official starter.

Rash grew up in Woodbine and began his career as a horseman at Shamrock Farm before leaving when he was young for California, where he eventually caught on with Whittingham, a Racing Hall of Fame member since 1974.

* Whadjathink, who arrived Wednesday to run in the Preakness, is trained by Michael Whittingham, Charlie's son.

"Friday would have been a normal work day, but with all the shipping I may do something Monday," said Whittingham, 45. Jorge Velasquez will ride Whadjathink, winner of the Spotlight Breeders' Cup at Hollywood Park in his most recent start.

Michael Whittingham's training accomplishments often are overshadowed by those of his father, but he has had some top runners, including Skywalker, winner of the $3 million Breeders' Cup Classic in 1986.

* The aftermath of the Withers Stakes at Belmont Park on Wednesday has yielded a possible Preakness starter. That is Withers winner Subordinated Debt, declared midway through Derby week by trainer Dave Monaci.

Meanwhile, the Withers performances of Kyle's Our Man (third) and Dodge (fifth) probably were not enough to merit Preakness berths. Also, Tank has been eliminated from Preakness contention by trainer Ben Perkins Jr.

Preakness candidates

Strike the Gold

Best Pal

Mane Minister

Corporate Report

Olympio

Whadjathink

Honor Grades

Subordinated Debt