LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Calvin Borel predicted a sweep of the Triple Crown after he rode Super Saver to win Saturday’s Kentucky Derby by 2½ lengths, but a preliminary tally yesterday showed a baker’s dozen other 3-year-olds might line up against him in the May 15 Preakness Stakes.
The field for the Pimlico classic is limited to 14.
Lookin At Lucky, at 6.30-1 the longest-priced favorite in Derby history, had a nightmare trip finishing sixth. He came out of the race in good shape and is eligible to rebound in Baltimore, but trainer Bob Baffert isn’t ready to commit to a re-match.
“I’m going to keep you all in suspense,” Baffert, a four-time Preakness winner, told the media yesterday morning.
He recalled that in 2001, when Point Given finished fifth as the Derby favorite, “The first day [after the race], I said, ‘Nah, we’re not going.’ The second day, we still weren’t going. The third day, he was doing a bit better. By Sunday, I said, ‘We’re going to the Preakness and we cannot lose.’ ”
Point Given won the Preakness by 2 1/4 lengths, with Derby winner Monarchos sixth.
Other Derby runners that could be back for the Crown’s second jewel are Paddy O’Prado (third), Make Music for Me (fourth), Dublin (seventh) and Jackson Bend (12th).
Baffert’s Conveyance, who tired to 15th after setting the pace, hasn’t been eliminated.
Noting that “12th is better than 20th,” trainer Nick Zito will run Jackson Bend in the Preakness “if he has a good two weeks.”
But Zito said Florida Derby winner Ice Box, who flew home for second in the Derby after being blocked in the stretch, probably will await the June 5 Belmont Stakes.
Zito won the Belmont with Birdstone in 2004 and Da’ Tara in 2008, foiling the Triple Crown bids of Smarty Jones and Big Brown, respectively.
“If Borel is right and Super Saver does win the Preakness, I’ll be waiting for him at home,” Zito said.
Pletcher said Super Saver will remain at Churchill Downs and train there until shipping to Pimlico the Wednesday before the Preakness. Pletcher could have another starter in the race, owner Cott Campbell’s Aikenite, second in the April 24 Derby Trial. (Super Saver races for WinStar Farm.)
Other possible “new shooters” are A Little Warm, Bushwhacked, Caracortado, Hurricane Ike, Pleasant Prince, Schoolyard Dreams and Turf Melody.