Horse racing

Although the Kentucky Derby unexpectedly turned into a sizzling speed duel among several horses, the Preakness looks — on paper — to be a more sedate affair in the early going. Bet accordingly.

As of Tuesday afternoon, there is a 50% chance of rain showers during the day Saturday.

It first appeared that Mage’s job of defending his Triple Crown chances wouldn’t be getting any easier at Preakness, but some twists in the plan have knocked out strong contenders and left Mage as the only Derby runner to wheel back.

This year's Preakness marks 125 years since Willie Simms, one of the most successful riders of his time and one of the first to adopt the modern rider position and technique, won the race and became the only Black jockey to win all three Triple Crown events.

Recent deaths of horses cast a shadow on the Preakness and the other Triple Crown races, pointing to the need for reforms to the U.S. horseracing industry, says Keith Dane, senior director of equine protection at the Humane Society of the United States.

This will be the first year since 2018 that the Kentucky Derby winner has a chance to win Preakness and head to Belmont with a shot at the Triple Crown.

Axel Concepción has won his first leading rider title, a feat that Irad Ortiz Jr., an esteemed Boricua jockey, did not meet until he was in his 20s.

Last year in Timonium, a group of owners went over budget and spent $290,000 in an auction for a 2-year-old horse on a “gut decision.” That horse was Mage, now a Kentucky Derby winner whose success may herald a great racing line under Good Magic, who sired three of the eight horses in this year’s Preakness.

A 2020 plan to redevelop Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park fell apart due to a variety of factors. Now racing industry stakeholders are negotiating a new plan, and they’re considering boosting Pimlico as the year-round home of thoroughbred racing.

He’s the only horse in the field of eight set to take part in the second race of the Triple Crown two weeks after running in the Derby. It’s the first Preakness since 1969 with just one Derby horse.

The gelding is looking to be the first Maryland-bred winner of the Preakness Stakes since Deputed Testamony in 1983.

Ramiro Restrepo, part of the ownership group, said Thursday those in charge of deciding Mage’s next race wanted to see one final workout.

Forte’s people want to bring the horse to the Preakness. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission appears to have other ideas.

Mage had only one victory in three previous races before covering 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.57 under jockey Javier Castellano.

The colt stumbled on the track during a workout Thursday, although trainer Todd Pletcher had downplayed it.

Likely favorite Forte has looked like the clear top contender since the fall. If last year taught us anything, however, it’s that anyone can fly under the radar and be a contender in this 20-horse field.

The death of four horses at Churchill Downs over a span of five days has overshadowed preparations for the Kentucky Derby.

Praise for the racing surface was nearly universal after consultant John Passero made adjustments to the track.

John Passero, a track superintendent with Maryland ties, deemed the racing surface safe and made recommendations on how it should be maintained going forward.

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association’s handpicked consultant will examine the dirt track at Laurel on Wednesday.