Some Kentucky Derby hopefuls now setting their sights on Preakness

There is life after the Kentucky Derby. Whoever wears the roses in less than three weeks at Churchill Downs will have new foes awaiting them in Baltimore, as the field for the May 20 Preakness Stakes is already beginning to take shape, with some late bloomers and those who may miss the Derby for various reasons already targeting the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.

First Mission moved toward the head of that group of newcomers with his hard-fought victory in the Grade 3, $400,000 Lexington Stakes last Saturday at Keeneland. It was just the third career start, and the stakes debut, for the Godolphin homebred.

The Preakness is “definitely the spot on the calendar that would make the most sense,” trainer Brad Cox said. “Obviously, we have to see what happens for the Kentucky Derby and who does what there. But it’s one of those things where it would be the logical spot moving forward.”

First Mission earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 98 for his effort, in which he reeled in Arabian Lion, who had things all his own way on the lead. He then edged away to prevail by a half-length despite runner-up Arabian Lion putting him in tight quarters down the lane.

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“He was tested out there today,” Godolphin representative Michael Banahan said after the race. “He had to be brave to do that. I think he passed a lot of tests today – especially a class test and bravery test. He showed a lot of character, and we’re very proud of him.”

Arabian Lion is not eligible for the Kentucky Derby, as trainer Bob Baffert is banned from participating in this year’s race; he is in the second year of a two-year suspension issued by Churchill after the late Medina Spirit’s medication positive following his first-place finish in the 2021 Derby. He could have representation in the Preakness, but Arabian Lion may not be among those.

“I was happy with his effort, but not sure about Preakness,” Baffert said via text following the Lexington.

Chase the Chaos and Perform earned automatic berths into the Preakness with victories in the El Camino Real Derby on Feb. 11 at Golden Gate and the Federico Tesio Stakes last Saturday at Laurel Park, respectively. Perform, however, was not an original or late Triple Crown nominee, and to take advantage of his berth he would need to be supplemented at entry time for a hefty fee. The supplemental fee for the Preakness is $150,000, while the Belmont, three weeks later, is $50,000.

“We didn’t nominate him for the Triple Crown because we thought we had a sprinter and not a very good one at that, so there was really no reason to nominate him,” Bill Farish of co-owner Woodford Racing said. “Maybe we wish we had, maybe not. A lot of times a horse that comes this far this fast could use a little extra time going into the summer. I wouldn’t be real apt to rush him, anyway. It’s great to have some options. … It’s awfully early to make any predictions but we’re very excited that he can be in the conversation with the other 3-year-old races later in the year.”

Chase the Chaos, meanwhile, was among the 13 3-year-olds made eligible for all three Triple Crown races with a late nomination fee of $6,000 that was due March 27. The other late nominees were Wild On Ice and King Russell, who are targeting the Kentucky Derby; Brave Emperor, who is not expected to travel to the U.S. from his European base; and Coffeewithchris, Empirestrikesfast, Eye Witness, Henry Q, Interlock Empire, Kolomio, Mr. Peeks, Nautical Star, and Ninetyprcentmaddie.

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King Russell is among those currently on the outside looking in trying to make the Kentucky Derby starting gate, with a high points cutoff looming. At least one of those currently excluded has plans to target the Preakness. Santa Anita Derby winner Mandarin Hero needs five defections to make the field, but no plans have been made to ship from the U.S. back to his Japanese base.

“Everyone with Mandarin Hero is still very interested in the Kentucky Derby,” said Sean Toriumi of U.S. Equine, who has served as a liaison for the colt’s connections. “If we don’t get in, we’ll look at the Preakness.”

Additional 3-year-olds could find themselves looking to the Preakness after this Saturday’s $200,000 Bath House Row Stakes at Oaklawn. The race awards an automatic berth into the Preakness for the winner, if Triple Crown-eligible. The field of nine is led by multiple graded stakes-placed Red Route One and Smarty Jones Stakes winner Victory Formation.

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