Orb was the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago and after taking the top spot the horse will do it again on Saturday in Maryland to keep alive the thought of another Triple Crown, as he is once again the top horse.
Joel Rosario will be on the horse again and the horse has won five straight races including four straight this year and now Orb will get the chance to chase history on Saturday, even if the forecast calls for rain. It has 12-1 odds to start and the race on Saturday should be an exciting one for trainer Shug McGaughey, as the horse will come out of the one hole on the day of.
Orb came from off the pace at Churchill Downs on May 4 to win by 2 1/2 lengths, and should he win Saturday's 138th running of the Preakness, he can become the first Triple Crown winner since 1978 with a victory at the Belmont Stakes on June 9. Orb, an even-money favorite in the morning line ridden by Joel Rosario, has been unbeatable this year - literally - with four straight wins and is riding a five-race winning streak.
Todd Quast, general manager of GoldMark Farm, co-owner of Mylute, said the mile-and-three-16ths Preakness sets up perfectly for his colt, who will be ridden by Rosie Napravnik. Napravnik would become the first female jockey to win the Preakness if she can guide Mylute to the winner's circle at venerable Pimlico Race Course.
"The '1' is different here than it is at Churchill. The race starts at the three-sixteenths pole here and it's a straight shot. We'll be fine," said McGaughey, who has not competed in the Preakness since 1989, when Easy Goer lost to Kentucky Derby winner Sunday Silence by a nose.
Departing, with Brian Hernandez in the silks, has not raced since winning the Grade III Illinois Derby on April 20. The bay gelding has won four of five career starts, the only blemish being a third-place finish in the Louisiana Derby in March. (Reuters quotes)
Trainer Al Stall gave his horse a pass in the Louisiana Derby because it was his first big race. He compared it to the National Football League where most players need a little seasoning, except for Washington's Robert Griffin III or Indianapolis's Andrew Luck.