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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, May 15, 2010

Horse racing: Capsules for the horses in Preakness Stakes


By Alicia Wincze
McClatchy Newspapers

The field for Saturday's 135th Preakness Stakes:

1 — Aikenite

Owner: Dogwood Stable

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Morning-line odds: 20-1

The skinny: Second in the Grade III Derby Trial last time out but hasn't won in seven subsequent starts since breaking his maiden at Saratoga last August.

2 — Schoolyard Dreams

Owners: Eric Fein and Triple Diamond Stables

Trainer: Derek Ryan

Jockey: Eibar Coa

Morning-line odds: 15-1

The skinny: Was a soundly beaten fourth to Eskendereya in the Grade I Wood Memorial on April 3 but has enough tactical speed to stay engaged in the early going of the Preakness.

3 — Pleasant Prince

Owners: Ken and Sarah Ramsey

Trainer: Wesley Ward

Jockey: Julien Leparoux

Morning-line odds: 20-1

The skinny: The son of Indy King will be making his seventh start this year and third start since finishing second by a nose to Ice Box in the Grade I Florida Derby on March 20. He is a robust specimen but is in the midst of a six-race losing skid.

4 — Northern Giant

Owners: Westrock Stables

Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas

Jockey: Terry Thompson

Morning-line odds: 30-1

The skinny: Lukas admits he has no grandiose ideas about this son of Giant's Causeway, but he did run a good second in the Lane's End Stakes before finishing ninth in the Arkansas Derby, where he emerged with congestion.

5 — Yawanna Twist

Owners: Steel Your Face Stables

Trainer: Richard Dutrow Jr.

Jockey: Edgar Prado

Morning-line odds: 30-1

The skinny: Lightly raced son of Yonaguska has yet to win beyond 6 furlongs but was second last time out in the Illinois Derby on April 3.

6 — Jackson Bend

Owners: Robert LaPenta and Fred Brei

Trainer: Nick Zito

Jockey: Mike Smith

Morning-line odds: 12-1

The skinny: Diminutive son of Hear No Evil was worse than second for the first time in his 10 career starts when he finished 12th in the Kentucky Derby. Shorter distance helps his cause Saturday.

7 — Lookin At Lucky

Owners: Karl Watson, Mike Pegram, and Paul Weitman

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Martin Garcia

Morning-line odds: 3-1

The skinny: He is the reigning juvenile champion and as hard-trying as they come but adversity just loves to come his way. From a tactical standpoint, the Preakness could set up perfect for him — if he can make it around without incident.

8 — Super Saver

Owners: WinStar Farm

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Calvin Borel

Morning-line odds: 5-2

The skinny: Even Pletcher has been impressed with how well the Kentucky Derby winner bounced out of his victory two weeks ago. His versatile running style and athleticism are made for Pimlico. If no one challenges him, he could steal the thing up front.

9 — Caracortado

Owners: Blahut Racing and Lo Hi Racing

Trainer: Mike Machowsky

Jockey: Paul Atkinson

Morning-line odds: 10-1

The skinny: Has not raced outside of California but does own a win over dirt having broken his maiden at Fairplex last September.

10 — Paddy O'Prado

Owners: Donegal Racing

Trainer: Dale Romans

Jockey: Kent Desormeaux

Morning-line odds: 9-2

The skinny: Has hit the board on dirt, turf, and synthetic tracks but Saturday probably will be his first time racing over a dry dirt surface. Was beaten by a neck for second in the Kentucky Derby.

11 — First Dude

Owner: Donald Dizney

Trainer: Dale Romans

Jockey: Ramon Dominguez

Morning-line odds: 20-1

The skinny: Romans is taking a shot putting the son of Stephen Got Even in here but, aside from a fifth-place finish in the Florida Derby, he has not been worse than third in his six career starts.

12 — Dublin

Owners: Robert Baker and William Mack

Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas

Jockey: Garrett Gomez

Morning-line odds: 10-1

The skinny: Sire is 2005 Preakness and Belmont winner Afleet Alex but the stamina hasn't translated yet for the chestnut colt who has not won beyond 7 furlongs. Lukas has won the Preakness five times, however, so toss his top charge at your own risk.