Musket Man Likely for Preakness

Musket Man, the third-place finisher in the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), will likely run in the May 16 Preakness Stakes (gr. I).

Trainer Derek Ryan said he expects to decide by May 6, adding his colt will not run in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Ryan said he likes the mile and three-sixteenths distance for the Preakness.

"It's shortening up a little bit and I want to run him in the Haskell," Ryan said before a press conference to trumpet this weekend's opening of Monmouth Park, the site of the $1 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) Aug. 2. Ryan stables at Monmouth.

Musket Man was edged for second in the Derby by Pioneerof the Nile. The two finished almost seven lengths behind Mine That Bird, who won at odds of 50-1.

Musket Man, by Yonaguska  , is owned by Eric Fein and Vic Carlson. He has won five of seven lifetime starts, his most recent victory in the Illinois Derby (gr. II) prior to the Kentucky Derby.