Nick Zito, 43, trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Strike the Gold, never has had a Preakness starter, but has been in racing for more than 25 years and is cognizant of the race's rich history.

"There were so many great ones. Affirmed and Alydar. One that really sticks in my mind is the Sunday Silence-Easy Goer race. How can you beat that race? It was just a tremendous race.

"That's what's so great about the Triple Crown experience -- knowing who ran in it before, knowing about its history. As we speak, history is being made. It's just a great tradition."