Start time, horses to follow, Mystik Dan’s odds and more

Will weather impact the race?

There has already been rain in Baltimore this week, and Saturday’s forecast is unsettled. The potential for wet weather raises the potential for a wet track — a significant variable.

Long shot Uncle Heavy is notable for his unblemished wet track record. Both of Seize the Grey’s wet surface journeys, meanwhile, came at shorter distances — a pair of sprint races last summer. (He did, for what it’s worth, show unusual aggression in a win over the slop last summer, charging to the lead and holding on for dear life against a quality field.)

It’s Mystik Dan who stands out the most, though. He romped in the mud in February’s Southwest Stakes, crushing Just Steel by eight lengths, with jockey Brian Hernandez employing the same rail-hugging tactics we saw two weeks ago in Louisville. Maybe it was that rail trip, not the muddy surface, that made the difference in the Southwest for Mystik Dan. But at the very least we can say he doesn’t mind the mud one bit.

Imagination jockey Dettori wishes luck to Arsenal, but horse has other ideas

Moments after video played of Imagination jockey Frankie Dettori praising England’s Arsenal Football Club in the last part of the Premier League season, his horse sent a different message.

“Hey guys, I wish you all the best in the last game of the season. You’ve been fantastic,” Dettori said, draped in an Arsenal scarf. “All the best and go out with a win.”

But Imagination nuzzled against a red Arsenal flag pinned up next to his pen, then bit the lower corner and pulled it down.

“And Dettori’s horse, Imagination, apparently not on the same side as his jockey,” NBC’s Mike Tirico quipped.

Grooms All Bizness rallies for Jim McKay Turf Sprint victory

Grooms All Bizness navigated the wet grass and stormed to victory in the Jim McKay Turf Sprint.

Jockey Jorge Ruiz’s gelding broke out of the No. 1 spot but needed to find space in the middle of the track down the stretch for the come-from-behind win.

The 5-2 favorite, Beer Can Man, finished fifth in the $100,000 race.

Extra rest could be a factor

Imagination last ran April 6 in the Santa Anita Derby, meaning he’ll be running after a six-week break. Three other horses could benefit from similar rest: Mugatu and Uncle Heavy haven’t run since April 6, and Tuscan Gold hasn’t since March 23.

All three horses, though, didn’t fare well enough in qualifying races to make the Derby field — Imagination did (again, he was kept out simply because of the Baffert ban).

Corporate Power wins Sir Barton Stakes

Favored Corporate Power put his nose in front of Gould’s Gold in a thrilling finish to the Sir Barton Stakes, a Preakness undercard race.

Corporate Power’s triumph survived a steward’s inquiry in light of bumping down the stretch between the winner and place finisher Imperial Gun.

Place finisher Gould’s Gold was ridden by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. and trained by Kenny McPeek, the combo that guided Mystik Dan to win the Kentucky Derby by a nose two weeks ago.

The 1 1/16-mile $100,000 race is named after the first Triple Crown winner in 1919.

Who owns Mystik Dan?

NBC Sports’ Nathan Ackerman breaks it all down:

Mystik Dan is owned by Lance Gasaway and the 4G Racing team of Brent Gasaway (Lance’s cousin) and Brent’s wife, Sharilyn. He’s also owned by Daniel Hamby III and his brother, Scott Hamby of Valley View Farm.

“To me, this is for him,” Lance Gasaway said after the Derby, which took place exactly one year after his father, Clint, died. “He loved the game. He and I bought horses together. … I’m just so happy for my family. I had all my family here. It’s just a special day.”

Bob Baffert plans to make a statement Saturday

Bob Baffert, the Hall of Fame trainer, has been the missing man in Louisville for three years now thanks to a ban Kentucky Derby officials imposed after Medina Spirit’s medicine violation in 2021.

But he’s welcome in Baltimore, and initially he was set to have two horses in this Preakness: Muth and Imagination. Each would have easily qualified to run in the Derby if not for Baffert’s suspension.

But Muth’s scratch from the Preakness leaves Imagination as the sole Baffert entrant. He’s just 3-1 on the revised morning line and a major contender. In a race that looks light on pace, he may be able to shoot straight to the lead, try to slow the pace down and last until the finish line. It’s a favorite Baffert tactic. His last three Preakness winners — including National Treasure just last year — all won in gate-to-wire fashion.

Baffert himself commands respect on this stage. He’s the only living trainer to claim the Triple Crown (two of them, actually), he has won an all-time record 17 Triple Crown races, and he’s the most successful Preakness trainer ever, having taken this race eight times. And just like he did last year, he has come to Baltimore intent on making a statement.

Preakness favorite Muth scratched earlier in week

Preakness favorite Muth has been ruled out of the race after spiking a fever, removing a horse trained by Bob Baffert and potentially giving Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan a clearer path through the second leg of the Triple Crown.

The Maryland Jockey Club announced Muth’s status change Wednesday morning, roughly 12 hours after the horse arrived at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

Baffert said Muth’s temperature reached 103 degrees and the camp had no choice but to scratch him. A horse’s body temperature should be at or less than 101.5 degrees.

“We are sick about this. The horse had been doing really well,” Baffert said. “But we have to do what’s right by the horse.”

Which horses have won the Triple Crown?

There have been 13 horse racing Triple Crown winners.

Sir Barton, 1919
Gallant Fox, 1930
Omaha, 1935
War Admiral, 1937
Whirlaway, 1941
Count Fleet, 1943
Assault, 1946
Citation, 1948
Secretariat, 1973
Seattle Slew, 1977
Affirmed, 1978
American Pharoah, 2015
Justify, 2018

What to know about the course, prize pot and weather

Distance: 1 3/16 miles (9.5 furlongs)

Total prize pot for winners: $2 million

Weather forecast: 74 degrees but a 40% chance of showers

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