Preakness Alumni Face Desert Gate, Albus in Ohio Derby

While none of the 14 Preakness Stakes (G1) starters returned on three weeks' rest for the June 6 Belmont Stakes (G1), the June 20 Ohio Derby (G3) at Thistledown attracted four alumni of the Triple Crown's middle jewel among its field of 10.

An additional two weeks of recovery and the opportunity to tackle less daunting opposition for a $500,000 purse helped lure 3-year-olds Chip Honcho , Ocelli , Bull by the Horns , and Robusta , who finished third, fourth, sixth, and ninth, respectively, in the May 16 Preakness at Laurel Park. Ocelli and Robusta also contested the May 2 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs, running third and 14th in the Run for the Roses, respectively, while fellow Ohio Derby entrant Albus  checked in 15th. Albus makes his first start since the Kentucky Derby in the Ohio Derby.

Saturday's 1 1/8-mile dirt race also attracted five runners who bypassed the Triple Crown this spring, headed by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman's Desert Gate , who was dominant in consecutive ungraded stakes victories in the March 26 Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn Park and the May 25 Texas Derby at Lone Star Park. The twice grade 1-placed son of Omaha Beach   also captured last year's Best Pal Stakes (G3) while competing in black-type events as a juvenile.

Flavien Prat travels from New York to ride the Bob Baffert-trained Desert Gate, the 5-2 morning-line favorite, just ahead of 3-1 second choice Chip Honcho.

Jose Ortiz, who piloted Golden Tempo  to last-to-first triumphs in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes (G1), comes to Ohio from Kentucky to retain the mount aboard Leland Ackerley Racing, James Sherwood, Jode Shupe, and John Cilia's Chip Honcho for trainer Steve Asmussen. Ortiz was aboard for the Preakness, a race Golden Tempo skipped, guiding Chip Honcho to an even third-place finish, beaten 4 1/2 lengths by Napoleon Solo .

Winner of the Gun Runner Stakes late last year at age 2, Chip Honcho seeks the first stakes victory of his 3-year-old campaign. He finished second to Paladin  in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) this winter at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots and earlier was fourth behind Golden Tempo in the Lecomte Stakes (G3) there.

In addition to Desert Gate, two other graded stakes winners compete in the Ohio Derby: Davant Latham's Lexington Stakes (G3) winner Trendsetter , most recently third in the Peter Pan Stakes (G3) for trainer Ben Colebrook, and Pin Oak Stud's Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) winner Albus, trained by Riley Mott.

The Ohio Derby serves as the nightcap on a 12-race program Saturday at Thistledown, with a scheduled post time of 6:20 p.m. ET. The card also features four other stakes, including the $250,000 Lady Jacqueline Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on dirt.