American Pharaoh, with Victor Espinoza up, won the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2. Now, the focus turns to the running of The Preakness Stakes at the Pimlico Race Course on May 16.
The field is beginning to take shape.
The Derby champion, runner-up Firing Line and third-place finisher Dortmund are all expected to be in the running. The same can be said for fifth-place finisher Danzig Moon and Mr. Z.
Mr. Z's owner Ahmed Zayat, however, was noncommittal when asked about future plans. "We have talked," Zayat said (via the Baltimore Sun). "But so far, no decision has been made."
A decision has been made on International Star. One of the most consistent horses in recent years was forced to be scratched from the Derby due to a bruised foot. A new injury complicated matters on Tuesday. International Star suffered a chip in his left front ankle that will require surgery.
The chip was discovered when the horse was X-rayed after walking uncomfortably on Tuesday according to owner Ken Ramsey.
"It's [the chip] very small, only 1 millimeter by 2 millimeters, but bottom line is he's going to be off 60 to 90 days," Ramsey told the Louisville Courier-Journal (via the Baltimore Sun). "We'll just have to take it out and hopefully bring him back in the fall. Bad timing, but nothing really serious.
"The horse should recover without any further complications."
International Stars' absence will do little to affect American Pharoah's odds. According to OddsShark, the Derby winner is favored to win the Preakness at -140, while the rest of the field opens at +100.
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