Preakness draw: Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom in post 11

Barbara D. Livingston

Animal Kingdom walks through the grass at Fair Hill with assistant trainer Dave Rock alongside.

BALTIMORE – Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom was assigned post 11 as the 2-1 morning-line favorite for the Preakness Stakes at the post-position draw for the 136th running of the second jewel of the Triple Crown on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.

A full field of 14 3-year-olds was entered for the 1 3/16-mile Preakness, which will be televised on NBC Sports, with post time set for 6:18 p.m. Eastern.

Other draws for the top Preakness contenders include Dialed In (9-2) in post 10, Mucho Macho Man (6-1) in post 9, and Shackleford (12-1) in post 5.

Animal Kingdom won the May 7 Kentucky Derby by 2 3/4 lengths as a 20-1 shot. John Velazquez has the mount back aboard the colt for owner Team Valor International and trainer Graham Motion.

Animal Kingdom will be trying to keep alive his hopes for the Triple Crown, which has not been swept since Affirmed did it in 1978. The third and final jewel, the Belmont Stakes, is set for June 11 in New York.

PREAKNESS FIELD: Post positions, odds, comments by Watchmaker and Privman »

(PP, Horse, Jockey, M/L)
1. Astrology, M.Smith, 15-1
2. Norman Asbjornson, J.Pimentel, 30-1
3. King Congie, R.Albarado, 20-1
4. Flashpoint, C.Velasquez, 20-1
5. Shackleford, J.Castanon, 12-1
6. Sway Away, G.Gomez, 15-1
7. Midnight Interlude, M.Garcia, 15-1
8. Dance City, R.Dominguez, 12-1
9. Mucho Macho Man, R.Maragh, 6-1
10. Dialed In, J.Leparoux, 9-2
11. Animal Kingdom, J.Velazquez, 2-1
12. Isn’t He Perfect, E.Prado, 30-1
13. Concealed Identity, S.Russell, 30-1
14. Mr. Commons, V.Espinoza, 20-1

Grade 1, $1 million.
To be run Saturday at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
1 3/16 miles.
Post time, 6:18 p.m. Eastern.
TV: NBC.
All carry 126 pounds.