Preakness a possibility for Verraco

Verraco, who finished fourth in the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Racecourse on April 18, is a candidate for the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 16, trainer Jim Cassidy said.

Verraco was beaten 9 1/2 lengths by Whiskey Ticket in his stakes debut.

“He needed that race back there,” Cassidy said.

A final decision on whether Verraco is sent to Maryland will be made following Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

“It depends on how the Derby runs and who may go in there,” Cassidy said.

Verraco, by Old Fashioned, has won 2 of 6 starts and earned $89,910 for owner Deron Pearson.

Among the Kentucky Derby runners this year is the Cassidy-trained Ocho Ocho Ocho, who finished third in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland earlier this month.