Nine horses have been entered for the 138th Preakness Stakes (gr. I): Orb , Departing, Goldencents , Govenor Charlie, Itsmyluckyday , Mylute, Oxbow , Titletown Five, and Will Take Charge .
The Preakness post position draw will be held at the International Pavilion in the Pimlico Infield at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast live on HRTV.
Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable's Orb got well acquainted with his new surroundings at Pimlico Race Course the morning of May 15. The Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner, who arrived from Belmont Park May 13 and walked the shedrow of the Preakness Stakes Barn May 14, made his first appearance on the racetrack at approximately 6 a.m.
The Shug McGaughey-trained 3-year-old colt prepared for a start in the Preakness by jogging once around the racetrack under exercise rider Jenn Patterson while accompanied by a pony.
"Everything was really good," said McGaughey while his Derby winner grazed in the grassy area near the Preakness Stakes Barn. "He turned and jogged the wrong way. He was moving really well and full of energy. He appears to be settled in back here and I'm pleased with what I see."
The son of Malibu Moon followed up his early-morning activity with a visit to Pimlico's indoor paddock, where McGaughey plans to saddle him instead of the customary Preakness saddling area on the turf course.
Orb walked around the saddling area under the cover of the grandstand and stood quietly in a stall while being tended to by Patterson, whose work with the likely Preakness favorite has received high praise from McGaughey.
"Without her, we wouldn't be here. It's not only her riding ability, it's her horsemanship and dedication to the whole thing," said McGaughey, who detailed the many miles logged and hours worked by Patterson while working with Orb in Florida and Kentucky. "Nobody will know how much I appreciate her and what I think of her and her abilities. The rapport we have between each other... I think it's a pretty remarkable relationship."
Departing, Mylute, and Govenor Charlie were all slated to arrive at the Baltimore track the afternoon of May 15 after completing morning exercise routines at Churchill Downs.