Improbable Leads Prospective Preakness Stakes Field

The Bob Baffert trained Improbable is the early betting favorite for the Preakness Stakes (G1). (Photo credit: Breeders’ Cup Ltd.).

The Bob Baffert trained Improbable leads the prospective field for the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico which now numbers 10.

Improbable crossed the wire fifth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and was placed fourth after the disqualification of the winner Maximum Security, who was placed 17^th for veering in and causing interference that affected War of Will, Long Range Toddy and Bodexpress.

Country House was elevated to the victory and returned $132.40, the second biggest price in the 145-year history of the Run for the Roses. The only winner that paid more was Donerail in 1913, who returned his backers $184.90.

Trainer Bill Mott announced on Tuesday that the Derby winner developed a cough and is off the Triple Crown trail. It will be the first time since a Derby winner skipped the Preakness since 1996 when Grindstone was inured and retired.

The first four that crossed the wire in this year’s Derby are skipping the Preakness, leaving Improbable as the betting favorite, currently listed at +200 in early Preakness wagering.

With the addition of Win Win Win and the defection of Mr. Money, right now the field stands at 10.

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War of Will took the brunt of the interference that got Maximum Security disqualified. The colt weakened to finish eighth and placed seventh. The colt is the current second choice in early Preakness betting at +300. The colt is trained by Mark Casse and will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione.

There are two others coming back after running in the Derby—Win Win Win, who was ninth and Bodexpress, who checked in 13^th.

We have six newcomers to the Triple Crown and three of them, Alwaysmining, Anothertwistofate and Bourbon War are the co-third choices at +800.

Alwaysmining has won six in a row and seven of his dozen career starts. He comes in off a victory in the Federico Tesio at Laurel Park in his last start. Trained by Kelly Rubley, Daniel Centeno will be in the irons.

Anothertwistofate won the El Camino Real which earned him a ticket to the Preakness. He returned to run second in the Sunland Derby (G3) and Lexington (G3) in his last two starts. Jose Ortiz rides the colt for the first time for trainer Blaine Wright.

Bourbon War just missed getting into the Kentucky Derby, running second in the Fountain of Youth (G2) and then checking in fourth in the Florida Derby (G1). The Mark Hennig trainee will have Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard for the first time.

Completing the field at this time is Lexington (G3) winner Owendale, Blue Grass (G3) third place finisher Signalman and Oaklawn Park Invitational victor Laughing Fox.

Preakness