Preakness: Espinoza picks up mount on Mr. Commons

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Mr. Commons, third in the Santa Anita Derby last month, will be ridden by Victor Espinoza in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 21, trainer John Shirreffs said on Thursday.

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Mr. Commons was ridden by Mike Smith in the Santa Anita Derby, but Smith will ride Astrology in the Preakness. Mr. Commons has won 2 of 4 starts and $186,400. The Santa Anita Derby, in which he was beaten 2 1/4 lengths by Midnight Interlude, was the stakes debut for Mr. Commons.

Owned by Ian Banwell, Mr. Commons is scheduled to work at Hollywood Park on Friday, and be flown to Kentucky on Tuesday. Another flight will take Mr. Commons to Baltimore on Wednesday, Shirreffs said.