Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom is the 2-1 favourite to claim the second leg of US racing’s triple crown, the Preakness Stakes.
A field of 14 will contest the race at Pimlico on Saturday (Sunday AEST), the first full line-up for the Preakness since 2005, and English-born trainer Graham Motion likes Animal Kingdom’s chances from barrier 11.
“I couldn’t be happier,” Motion said.
“I would rather be on the outside than stuck down on the inside.”
Animal Kingdom will try to become the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to complete the American triple crown by sweeping the Derby, the 1-3/16-mile (1900m) Preakness and the Belmont Stakes on June 11.
“I’ve followed this in years past and rooted just like anyone else for the Triple Crown horse,” Motion said.
“I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself. We will deal with the Preakness first.”
John Velazquez will be back aboard Animal Kingdom after winning his first Derby in 13 tries.
Not since Exterminator in 1918 has a horse won the Derby after so few career starts and not since Needles in 1956 has a horse won the Derby after a six-week layoff.
Animal Kingdom’s rivals include Dialed In, the Derby favourite who finished eighth at Churchill Downs two weeks ago.
Dialed In was made second favourite at 9-2 and would collect a North American record $US6.1 million ($A5.73 million) payout if he wins the Preakness, thanks to a $5.5 million sponsor bonus from winning major Triple Crown tune-ups the Florida Derby and Holy Bull Stakes.
Mucho Macho Man, third in the Derby, was third with the odds makers at 6-1.
Trainer Todd Pletcher is winless in six tries at the Preakness, including last year’s eighth-place showing with 2010 Derby winner Super Saver, but he will have a contender again in Dance City at 12-1 out of the number eight barrier.
“We’re optimistic,” Pletcher said of a horse that has never finished out of the money in five starts.
“The horse has always run well. We like the post position and we like the way the race sets up. We like what we’re seeing.”
Others in the field include Astrology, Norman Asbjornson, King Congle, Flashpoint, Shackleford, Sway Away, Midnight Interlude, Isn’t He Perfect, Concealed Identity and Mr. Commons.
AFP AAP TURF
