Quiet Start to Preakness; Viola Visits Always Dreaming

Preakness Day 142 got off to a quiet start on the backside of Pimlico Race Course the morning of May 20, with most of the horses that will be competing later in the day in the second leg of the Triple Crown remaining in their barns.

The only Preakness entrant taken to the track was Term of Art, Calumet Farm's grade 3 winner. The son of Tiznow   went out shortly after 6 a.m. EDT but was not allowed to train because the track was only open from 5-6 a.m. as a result of the early first race post time of 10:30 a.m.

Meanwhile, Vinnie Viola and Anthony Bonomo were early morning visitors to the barn of Todd Pletcher, checking on their Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Always Dreaming.

"We feel great, just fantastic," Viola said after visiting his colt who was walked ealier and back in his stall by 5:45 a.m. EDT. "He seems like he's growing into the moment, if that is the right way to describe a horse. He just seems like he's aware... like he's primed to move forward, like he has a calm confidence."

Viola said that despite the Derby success and anticipation of a good Preakness outcome, he, Bonomo and the other owners realize there are a lot of elements that must come together.

"You are know these equine athletes are going to give their heart and soul--they leave it on the track every time—and these jockeys are going to get the best out of them," he said, adding that the Derby result could be attributed to the horsemanship skills of Pletcher, the riding ability of John Velazquez, and "a little bit of luck too. It's very humbling."

Meanwhile, the Gunnevera camp was extremely confident of their Preakness chances with the grade 2-winning colt from the first crop of Dialed In  .

"We're very confident, he's doing very well," said Alessandro "Alex" Sano, assistant to his father, Antonio. "We believe he's on top of his game. We met with (jockey) Mike Smith last night, who was doing his homework and figuring out different strategies for the horse. We know we're in good hands with him and are looking for a good race. Always Dreaming and Classic Empire are good horses but our horse is training very well and fits the competition very well."

For racing fans at Pimlico, the good news was that Friday storms broke the oppressive heat and humidity that had steamed up the Baltimore area, with cloudy skies most of the day and a high temperature of 68 degrees.