The Triple Crown bid by Justify is going to be tougher with Kentucky Derby (G1) runner up Good Magic now headed to Pimlico for a rematch in the Preakness Stakes (G1) on Saturday.
Good Magic came up 2 ½ lengths short in the Kentucky Derby over the sloppy track and his trainer Chad Brown usually does not bring his runners back so quickly, but has been very happy with his 2017 juvenile champion.
“The horse has just been training very well since the Derby,” Brown said. “He bounced out of the race in great condition and I think he deserves a chance in the race. He’s doing great.”
The colt is the second choice in early Preakness betting at 7-2, while Derby champ Justify is the short-priced favorite on the odds at 2-5.
Justify had a heel bruise coming out of the Kentucky Derby but his connections have said he is now 100% after an impressive gallop on Sunday.
This will be the fourth consecutive year the top two finishers from the Kentucky Derby have met again in the Preakness.
Two other Derby alums will be starting in the Preakness—Bravazo and Lone Sailor.
Bravazo checked in sixth and is listed at 20-1 in early Preakness betting. He is trained by D. Wayne Lukas, who has won the Preakness six times, most recently with Oxbow in 2013.
Lone Sailor had a tough trip in his eighth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, beaten 9 ¼ lengths. The Tom Amoss trainee is 0 for 4 in 2018, his best finish a neck loss in the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds. The colt is 25-1 in early Preakness wagering.
Among the new shooters are Federico Tesio winner Diamond King and Arkansas Derby (G2) runner up Quip who are both at 16-1.
In addition to Bravazo, Lukas will start Sporting Chance, who is at odds of 22-1. The colt ran on Derby Day but not in the big dance. He was fourth in the Pat Day Mile (G3) on the undercard. His previous start was a fourth in the Blue Grass (G2) at Keeneland where he crossed the wire third but was disqualified to fourth for ducking out sharply in deep stretch.
Two other new shooters that figure to be longshots are Pony Up and Tenfold. Pony Up is sent out by trainer Todd Pletcher, who came up short with his four Derby starters. Pony Up was third in the Lexington (G2) at Keeneland in his last outing. He is 33-1 in Preakness betting.
Tenfold is the most lightly raced in the field with just three starts. The Steve Asmussen trainee was fifth in the Arkansas Derby and is 25-1 in early Preakness odds.
The post position draw for the second jewel of the Triple Crown is Wednesday.