Catching Freedom Among Preakness Alums in Ohio Derby

After competing in the first two legs of the Triple Crown, Catching Freedom  catches easier in the June 22 Ohio Derby (G3) at Thistledown. He leads a field of 10 3-year-olds racing 1 1/8 miles.

The Louisiana Derby (G2) winner, fourth in the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1) and third in the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1), is among three Preakness starters in the $500,000 Ohio Derby, the others being sixth-place Uncle Heavy  and last-of-eight finisher Mugatu . Catching Freedom lost by 2 1/4 lengths in the Preakness after a 1 3/4-length defeat in the Derby, when he followed victorious Mystik Dan  with a ground-saving rally but could not threaten the top three runners. He missed catching Mystik Dan for second in the Preakness in a race controlled throughout by Seize the Grey .

SEIZE THE GREY SEIZES THE DAY.

WATCH HIM DENY MYSTIK DAN THE CHANCE TO RUN FOR THE TRIPLE CROWN IN THE FULL 149TH PREAKNESS STAKES. pic.twitter.com/c2nLV0Ov1j

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 18, 2024

Luis Saez takes over for Flavien Prat in riding the Brad Cox trainee, who is 3-0-2 in seven starts and has earned more than $1.3 million.

Besides those exiting the Preakness, other contenders in the Ohio Derby include the well-bred maiden winner Batten Down , Federico Tesio Stakes winner Copper Tax , and Sir Barton Stakes runner-up Gould's Gold .

The Ohio Derby is the last of 13 races on the card. The Saturday program concludes with five consecutive stakes, including the $250,000 Lady Jacqueline Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles.