2023 Preakness Field Preview & Poll

Kayla Zielke, , Comments Off on 2023 Preakness Field Preview & Poll
Here’s the ultimate quick guide to the 2023 Preakness Stakes. Who do you think will take the race?

The second jewel of the Triple Crown is set to run Saturday at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Here is an overview of the now-seven-horse field set to run. Our money is on a Good Magic son wearing the blanket of black eyed susans, who do you think will cross the wire first?

1. NATIONAL TREASURE, 4-1
(Quality Road – Treasure, by Medaglia d’Oro)

  • Bay colt
  • Born March 17, 2020
  • Trainer: Bob Baffert
  • Jockey: John Velazquez
  • Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan
  • Bred in Kentucky by Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds
  • 5 starts, 1 win, 1 second, 2 thirds, and earnings of $345,000

Stakes Wins/Places

2023

  • Finished 3rd in the Sham Stakes (G3)

2022

  • 2nd in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1)
  • 3rd in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1)

National Treasure ran a good third in the Breeders Cup Juvenile last November, but has been a late bloomer since. His connections are looking for him to improve in the Preakness and are hopeful he is ready for a big performance.

2. CHASE THE CHAOS, 50-1
(Astern – Live the Moment, by Uncle Mo)

  • Bay gelding
  • Born April 7, 2020
  • Trainer: Ed Moger Jr.
  • Jockey: Sheldon Russell
  • Owner: Adam Ference and Bill Dory
  • Bred in Pennsylvania by Mr. & Mrs. Dale N. Krapf
  • 8 starts, 3 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third, and earnings of $123,950

Stakes Wins/Places

2023

  • Won the El Camino Real Derby

2022

  • 2nd in the Gold Rush Stakes
  • 3rd in the Golden Nugget Stakes

Chase the Chaos comes into the Preakness off of automatic invitation from his El Camino Real Derby win. He runs for Alberta owners that are very excited to have a chance to run in a major stakes race. He has had a couple lackluster efforts since his win in February so he will be looking to improve.

3. Mage, 8-5
(Good Magic – Puca, by Big Brown)

  • Chestnut colt
  • Born April 18, 2020
  • Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
  • Jockey: Javier Castellano
  • Owner: OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing & CMNWLTH
  • Bred in Kentucky by Grandview Equine
  • 4 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, and earnings of $2,107,200

Stakes Wins/Places

2023

  • Won the Kentucky Derby (G1)
  • 2nd in the Florida Derby (G1)

Mage comes in from his Kentucky Derby win and is the only contender from the Derby to move forward. This marks the first time since 1984 that only one horse has entered the Preakness from the Derby field.

4. COFFEEWITHCHRIS, 20-1
(Ride On Curlin – Andiemac, by Outflanker)

  • Dark bay gelding
  • Born March 21, 2020
  • Trainer: John Salzman Jr.
  • Jockey: Jaime Rodriguez
  • Owner: John Salzman Jr., Fred Wasserloos, and Anthony Geruso
  • Bred in Maryland by Thomas J. Rooney
  • 12 starts, 3 wins, 3 seconds, 2 thirds, and earnings of $225,600

Stakes Wins/Places

2023

  • Won the Miracle Wood Stakes
  • 2nd in the Private Terms Stakes
  • 2nd in the Spectacular Bid Stakes

2022

  • Won the Heft Stakes
  • 3rd in the Maryland Juvenile Stakes

Coffeewithchris is the only local entry coming into the Preakness and has the most experience with 12 starts. He is also the only gelding in the field.

5. RED ROUTE ONE, 10-1
(Gun Runner – Red House, by Tapit)

  • Chestnut colt
  • Born March 12, 2020
  • Trainer: Steve Asmussen
  • Jockey: Joel Rosario
  • Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds
  • Bred in Kentucky by Winchell Thoroughbreds
  • 9 starts, 2 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third, and earnings of $633,525

Stakes Wins/Places

2023

  • Won the Bath House Row Stakes
  • 2nd in the Rebel Stakes (G2)
  • 2nd in the Southwest Stakes (G3)

2022

  • Finished 3rd in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1)

Red Route One is sired by multiple graded stakes and Breeders Cup Classic champion Gun Runner. He comes into the Preakness off of a stakes win in the Bath House Row.

6. PERFORM, 15-1
(Good Magic – Jane Says, by Tale of Ekati)

  • Bay colt
  • Born February 1, 2020
  • Trainer: Shug McGaughey
  • Jockey: Feargal Lynch
  • Owner: Woodford Racing, Lanes End Farm, Phipps Stable, Ken Langone, and Edward J. Hudson Jr.
  • Bred in Kentucky by Michael Orem & J.B. Lane Orem
  • 7 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third, and earnings of $130,956

Stakes Wins/Places

2023

  • Won the Federico Tesio Stakes

Perform comes into the Preakness off a very impressive win in the Federico Tesio Stakes. He was last early on but was able to navigate through heavy traffic and get up to win by a nose. He is developing late and seems to be on the rise in improvement. He had not been nominated to the Preakness and required a $150 000 supplement fee to gain entry. He will be a long shot to watch.

7. BLAZING SEVENS, 6-1
(Good Magic – Trophy Girl, by Warrior’s Reward)

  • Dark bay colt
  • Born February 19, 2020
  • Trainer: Chad Brown
  • Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
  • Owner: Rodeo Creek Racing
  • Bred in Kentucky by Tracy Farmer
  • 6 starts, 2 wins, 2 thirds, and earnings of $565,250

Stakes Wins/Places

2023

  • 3rd in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1)

2022

  • Won the Champagne Stakes (G1)
  • 3rd in the Hopeful Stakes (G1)

Blazing Sevens is one of three Preakness contenders sired by Good Magic, including Mage and Perform. He comes in off a 3rd place finish in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.

8. FIRST MISSION, SCR
(Street Sense – Elude, by Medaglia d’Oro)

  • Dark bay colt
  • Born May 6, 2020
  • Trainer: Brad Cox
  • Jockey: Luis Saez
  • Owner: Godolphin
  • Bred in Kentucky by Godolphin
  • 3 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, and earnings of $276,500

Stakes Wins/Places

2023

  • Won the Lexington Stakes (G3)

First Mission comes in off a win in the Lexington Stakes. He only has three starts but hasn’t run worse than second and will be a serious contender for Mage.