Preakness 2017 Field Won’t Include Most From Kentucky Derby: No Battle of Midway?

While we reckon most of the Preakness Stakes 2017 bets will be placed on the Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming, most of the rest of the field is likely to consist of newcomers.  This may or may not improve his odds of winning the Triple Crown depending on the final talent pool. 

Unless something happens to Always Dreaming during the two week hiatus, he’ll most certainly be running.

“Always Dreaming came out of it in wonderful fashion, just excellent,” winning trainer Todd Pletcher said Sunday morning following his big Kentucky Derby victory. “He ate very well last night and he’s got some spring in his step this morning.”

Lookin at Lee, who finished in 2nd place at this year’s Derby, is almost certain to take part in the Preakness Stakes.

“The Preakness is definitely a possibility for Lee,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “We’ll give this race the respect it deserves and wait and see how he does when he gets back to the track.”

Early Derby favorite Classic Empire finished 4^th.  He’s been battling various ailments in recent months including a foot abscess and now a small abrasions and swollen eye.  This makes him questionable for the 2017 Preakness.

“A lot of it is just going to be how quickly his eye can come around,” trainer Mark Casse said. “He also got cut up quite a bit yesterday. He looks like Muhammad Ali after a rough night. We’re just going to have to wait and see.”

One of the other early favorites to win this year’s Kentucky Derby, Irish War Cry, won’t be participating in the upcoming Preakness Stakes. 

“I don’t see a lot of reason to go on to the Preakness at this point,” trainer Graham Motion said. “He’s had a pretty good campaign this spring, so it’s likely we’ll skip that and make a plan and point to the Haskell.”

9^th place finisher Gormley will also be out of the Preakness.

The big surprise is that 3^rd place finisher Battle of Midway probably won’t be entered in the Preakness Stakes either.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer reportedly advised Maryland Jockey Club officials of this decision.

Potential new faces include Arkansas Derby 2^nd place finisher Conquest Mo Money, Lexington Stakes winner Senior Investment and Illinois Derby victor Multiplier.