Simplification First to Arrive Ahead of Preakness

The first 3-year-old to arrive at Pimlico Race Course ahead of the May 21 Preakness Stakes (G1) is Tami Bobo and Tristan De Meric's Simplification , who shipped in May 10. 

The rallying fourth-place finisher in the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs, Simplification fared the best of the Florida-raced horses that contested the Run for the Roses. Earlier in the year, he won the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and the Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream Park. 

Assistant trainer to Sano, Jesus "Chino" Prada, arrived with the Not This Time   colt Tuesday.

"Simplification came in early this morning from Churchill Downs. The horse looks good and feels very good," Prada said. "The horse (will train) today and tomorrow working in the barn. The first day on the track is Thursday."

Sano last ran a horse in the second leg of the Triple Crown five years ago when Gunnevera   finished fifth in the Preakness. He had been seventh in the Kentucky Derby.

"I think we've got more of a chance here because the field will probably be nine to 10 horses and because of the track," Prada said. 

According to Daily Racing Form, Hall of Famer John Velasquez has picked up the mount on Simplification with Jose Ortiz on Early Voting . Besides Simplification, several other Derby participants could return in the Preakness, led by Derby winner Rich Strike .

The latter, returning to the track Thursday for the first time since his 80-1 upset victory, jogged before galloping a mile at trainer Eric Reed's Mercury Equine Center near Lexington. 

The Keen Ice   colt is scheduled to return to Churchill Downs later in the week and may have an easy breeze May 16 or 17 before shipping to Pimlico.  

Steve Asmussen trainee Epicenter  walked in the barn Tuesday morning for the third time since his runner-up finish May 7. The 3-year-old Not This Time colt owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds is set to resume training May 11.

As for a potential start in the Preakness, Asmussen said that he was waiting to make the decision until he sees the colt on the track again but so far, so good. 

"I'm extremely happy with everything I see to this point, just kind of want to see how he travels, his energy level under weight," Asmussen said. "But it would be very surprising to me if he's ever anything but perfect."

Fern Circle Stables and Back Racing's Creative Minister  will start in the Preakness, trainer Kenny McPeek told Daily Racing Form. The 3-year-old son of Creative Cause  , a recent allowance optional claiming winner on Kentucky Derby Day, was not nominated for the Triple Crown and will have to be supplemented for $150,000 to enter.

Stablemate Smile Happy , who finished eighth in the Derby, will not run in the Preakness and will undergo an evaluation by veterinarian Dr. Larry Bramlage, McPeek told Daily Racing Form.

Returning safely home to Japan after skipping the Preakness, was Teruya Yoshida's 13th-place finisher from the Derby, Crown Pride , tweeted Kate Hunter, a spokesperson for his connections.