Trainers, Owners Aim for Big Brown
Ten More Challengers for Derby Champ; Only Lobo Repeats
Ten more trainers/owners will challenge Big Brown in the Preakness Stakes Saturday. Only Paulo Lobo, trainer of Gayego, repeats from the Kentucky Derby.
New shooters mean new circumstances, and more trainers and owners willing to test Kentucky Derby Champion Big Brown's best credentials in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday. Only California-based trainer Paulo Lobo, schooler of Gayego, repeats from the Derby to try again to stop Big Brown.
Although Big Brown's trainer, Richard Dutrow, Jr., remains confident that his charge can turn back any of the current crop of three-year-olds, a horse race means anything can happen. Dutrow understands that, but still likes Big Brown's chances to capture the second jewel of the American Triple Crown and to head to Belmont Park unbeaten.
Here Are the Trainers and Owners Who Will Challenge the Derby Champ:
- Dallas Stewart (third Preakness) and West Point Thoroughbreds --- Macho Again
- Beau Greely (7th with Borrego 2004) and John Greely IV; Phil Houchens (trainer also is co-owner) --- Tres Borrachos
- Graham Motion and Earle Mack --- Icabad Crane
- Patrick Gallagher (first Preakness) ad Richard Duggan, Bienstock, Winner Stables, Harlequin Ranches --- Yankee Bravo
- Todd Pletcher and Padua Stables, Michael Shustek, Don Stanley --- Behindatthebar
- Kenny McPeek (fourth with Harlan's Holiday 2002) and Jerry Carroll, Stan Kaplan, Ronald Plattner, Mark Guilfoyle --- Racecar Rhapsody
- Reade Baker (first Preakness) and Bear Stables, Ltd. --- Kentucky Bear
- Nick Zito (upset winner with Louis Quatorze 1996; tied Preakness speed title) and Robert LaPenta --- Stevil
- Bill Mott and Zayat Stables --- Riley Tucker
- Richard Schosberg (first Preakness) and Albert Fried, Jr. --- Giant Moon
- Paulo Lobo (first Preakness) and Cubanacan Stables -- Gayego
- Eddie Plesa (first Preakness) and Beatrice Oxenberg --- Hey Byrn
Riding the Preakness Horses Are:
- Julien Leparoux --- Preakness debut --- Macho Again
- Tyler Baze --- Preakness debut --- Tres Borrachos
- Jeremy Rose --- won Preakness with Afleet Alex 2005 --- Icabad Crane
- Alex Solis --- won Preakness with Snow Chief 1986 --- Yankee Bravo
- David Flores --- Behindatthebar
- Robby Albarado --- won Preakness with Curlin 2007 --- Racecar Rhapsody
- Kent Desormeaux --- won Preakness with Real Quiet 1998 --- Big Brown
- Jamie Theriot --- Preakness debut --- Kentucky Bear
- John Velazquez --- 5th with Circular Quay 2007 --- Stevil
- Edgar Prado --- 0-10 in Preakness trips --- Riley Tucker
- Ramon Dominguez --- 8th with Xchanger 2007 --- Giant Moon
- Mike Smith --- Gayego
- C.C. Lopez --- one ninth place finish --- Hey Byrn
Last year's Preakness was a squeaker, the opposite of what is projected for this time around, with Curlin nosing out Street Sense in a breathtaking stretch run in which neither horse wanted to lose.
