Fans and Preakness organizers will “anxiously await a verdict, likely to come later in the week” if Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo and trainer Cherie DeVaux will show up to the race, according to Childs Walker of the BALTIMORE BANNER. The Preakness “badly needs the narrative zest DeVaux and her Derby champ would bring.” This was shaping up to be an “odd year no matter what,” with the Triple Crown series making its first visit to Laurel Park. That means “no infield party, no flashy concert and a crowd capped at about 4,800.” Walker wrote there is “no way to gussy” Laurel Park up enough to “provide an ideal showcase” for one of thoroughbred racing’s main events. But the quality of the field is “another source of concern” as the Preakness runs up against the “usual challenges posed by its place on the calendar,” just two weeks after the Kentucky Derby (BALTIMORE BANNER, 5/4).
GOING FOR IT: BLOODHORSE’s Sean Collins wrote despite the “lack of interest” from contenders who raced in the Kentucky Derby to run in the Preakness, only winner Golden Tempo “appeared to be under consideration for the Triple Crown’s middle jewel.” Golden Tempo’s rematch with Derby runner-up Renegade would “have to wait until the June 6 Belmont Stakes (G1), at the earliest.” Derby third-place finisher Ocelli is “likely not to pursue the remainder of the Triple Crown,” even though he emerged from the race well. Fourth-place finisher Chief Wallabee is “expected to ship to Saratoga Race Course in the coming days” (BLOODHORSE, 5/3).
