Preakness Notebook: Trainers Can't Dwell on Controversy

Trainers are always under the microscope and that hasn't been truer than following the Kentucky Derby (G1) and the 10 days preceding the race. In that time there were seven horse fatalities and numerous injuries. 

After those events cast a dark cloud over the Derby, trainers understand there is greater scrutiny as the second leg of the Triple Crown nears.

Brad Cox, who trains First Mission , said he and his peers have to move forward without worrying about what is happening in other barns.

"That's all you can do. You obviously have to watch the horses very close. We've always done that and will continue to do that. Take them, train them. Hopefully, all goes well," he said. 

Meanwhile, the weekend presents Cox an opportunity to come away with several victories including the Preakness Stakes (G1) with First Mission. 

Cox doesn't have the most entries this weekend, that honor belongs to Brittney Russell with 16, but in addition to First Mission, he has two Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G1) runners with Merlazza  and Comparative .

"That's huge," he said. "Obviously, it's a big weekend. You know, it's a lot of stakes that we have horses that look like they're very competitive. So (we're) very hopeful that they can show up, run their race, and they end up in the winner's circle. That's the goal."

THEY SAID IT

Trainer Shug McGaughey has his first Preakness runner in 10 years with Perform . The May 20 race will be his fourth time with an entrant in the second leg of the Triple Crown. 

"It's one of those things, you never know if you're good enough until you try 'em," he said of Perform at the Alibi Breakfast May 18. "I've never won the Preakness and I'm not going to win the Preakness if they're standing in the stall."

Bob Ehalt contributed to this report.