The 151st Kentucky Derby concluded yesterday with a dramatic win by Sovereignty.

Now comes the next question: who’s coming to Baltimore? How many of the Derby contenders will return for the second leg of the Triple Crown—the Preakness Stakes, set for May 17 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore?

Sovereignty, trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, emerged victorious despite a troubled start in which he clipped heels and sustained a minor scrape on his right front pastern. Mott downplayed the injury but acknowledged that any issue involving a horse’s legs demands caution.

Still, the trainer noted encouraging signs from his colt’s behavior after the race. “When I got back to the barn last night after the race,” Mott said, “he’d already eaten up, his tub was empty. Probably did it in 20 minutes. That’s unusual for a horse that had to run a race as hard as he did.”

While Mott isn’t ruling out the Preakness, he emphasized that the decision will hinge on discussions with owner-breeder Godolphin LLC and how the horse responds over the next few days. “We certainly respect the Triple Crown and what it means, but we’re not dead set on it,” he said.

Runner-up Journalism, the Derby favorite, may be more likely to return in two weeks. Trainer Michael McCarthy acknowledged the race dynamics didn’t play in their favor. “With a field this size in a race like this, it’s all about the trip,” McCarthy said. “It didn’t quite work out the way we hoped, but he ran a good race against a good horse.”

He reported that Journalism came out of the race in good order and that “everything going forward is now in play”—a hint that the Preakness remains a viable option.

One horse that will not be heading to Baltimore is Baeza, who finished third under trainer John Shirreffs. Shirreffs confirmed that the Preakness is not under consideration for the bay colt. Meanwhile, Owen Almighty, who finished fifth, could instead point to the Grade 1 Woody Stephens on June 7 at Saratoga, a 7-furlong sprint.

Sandman, who checked in seventh, is being aimed at the mile-and-a-half Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown, scheduled for June 7. Chunk of Gold, ninth across the line, will be given a couple of weeks off, according to trainer Ethan West, with no immediate plans confirmed.

As for the international contingent, both Japanese runners—Luxor Café (12th) and Admire Daytona (19th)—will return to Japan and will not participate in the Preakness or Belmont.

As for Bob Baffert, the all-time leading Preakness trainer with seven victories, he didn’t have the Derby week he’d hopeed for. Citizen Bull finished 15th after leading through swift early fractions and now will return to California. However, his other Derby hopeful, Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez, scratched from the Derby during the week. He is likely to make his next start in the Preakness, potentially adding a fresh challenger to the lineup.

Local hopeful Pay Billy is expected to start in the Preakness, and trainer D. Wayne Lukas likes to run in the Middle Jewel; his possibiles include Derby 16th-place finisher American Promise and Bathhouse Row Stakes runner-up Caldera. Trainer Todd Pletcher has indicated River Thames, who bypassed the Derby despite having enough points, could contest the Preakness. Lexington winner Gosger is another possible.

This report includes information and quotes from a Churchill Downs release.