Backside Quiet on Preakness Day
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With the serious work over, it was a quiet morning on the backside of Pimlico Race Course early May 16 as connections of Xpressbet.com Preakness Stakes (gr. I) awaited the second leg of the Triple Crown to be run later in the day.
The 1 3/16-mile race worth $1.5 million will be televised by the NBC network, with a scheduled post time of 6:18 p.m. EDT. First post for the 14-race card is 10:30 a.m.
Some Preakness starters went to the track early to stretch their legs, but 3-5 morning-line favorite American Pharoah and stablemate Dortmund were not among them as they were walked around the shedrow in Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert's barn.
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There were no scratches from the Preakness early Saturday, but one horse that was scratched from the final race of the day, an allowance at 1 1/16 miles, was Xixixi, a half brother to American Pharoah, the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner May 2.
A 4-year-old by Maimondes—Littleprincessmama, by Yankee Gentleman , Xixixi was claimed by Kirk Sheehan and trainer Rudy Rodriguez from breeder Zayat Stables for $5,000 during a second-place finish at Pimlico April 3.
Also scratched was grade I winner Hard Not to Like, the 3-1 morning-line favorite for the Stella Artois Gallorette Handicap (r. IIIT).
Preakness Day loomed sunny and humid, with a high temperature of 90 degrees later in the day. Although there was a chance of late afternoon thunderstorms or showers, AccuWeather.com meteorologist Andy Mussoline said it will likely be a fast track for the Preakness.
"The warmth and humidity will help fuel a pop-up shower or thunderstorm during the afternoon and evening..." Mussoline wrote at AccuWeather.com. "The showers or thunderstorms will be spotty enough that chances will favor the race will stay dry.
"Folks going out on race day and spending the majority of the time outdoors should stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Wearing plenty of sunscreen and having extra to reapply will be helpful as well."