Lawyer Ron likely to pass Preakness

Trainer Bob Holthus said Tuesday from Lexington, Ky., that it appears likely that Lawyer Ron will pass the Preakness. Holthus said the colt has some inflammation in a hind ankle.

"We're probably going to have to give him a little time off," said Holthus. "He's run awfully hard for us for 10 months now. I'll be able to say for sure (Wednesday) when I take a good look at him at Churchill. It's nothing serious but we're probably going to have to pass up the Preakness."

Trainer Bob Baffert said Tuesday from California that Point Determined and Bob and John, who finished ninth and 17th, respectively in the Kentucky Derby, are both possible to run in the Preakness. Baffert said he plans to return to Churchill Downs over the weekend, and breeze both horses there on Monday before making a final decision.

"I could run two or one or none," said Baffert, who has won the Preakness four times since 1997. "I want to see how things shake out and I'm going to see the horses over the weekend and I'll see how they look. All I know for sure is that Sinister Minister won't run."

Baffert said Sinister Minister, who finished 16th in the Derby, would be freshened up and pointed to the $1 million Haskell at Monmouth Park on Aug. 6.

-additional reporting by David Grening