Preakness Profile: Clever Again
The Biz- May 17, 2025
The speedy Clever Again is light on experience, with just three starts — but long on talent. He won the Hot Springs Stakes easily last out and aims to give trainer Steve Asmussen his third Preakness victory.
8. CLEVER AGAIN (5-1)
Post Position: 8
Color/Sex: Bay colt
Age: 3
Sire–Dam–Damsire: American Pharoah – Flattering – Galileo
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds et al.
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Record: 3 starts: 2 wins, 1 place, 0 shows
Earnings: $198,400
Typical Running Style: Speed
Last Raced: March 30, 2025 – Hot Springs Stakes – Won by 4 lengths
Note: Lightly raced sort has a profile that sometimes wins the Preakness
Quote: “We’re pretty confident he can carry his speed a long distance. He’s very professional. He acts like a horse who just wants to do it. Mentally, he’s doing great. Physically, he’s doing great, and they think he’s coming into his own.” – Ron Winchell, owner
Clever Again (5-1) enters the Preakness with confidence after a dominant win in the Hot Springs Stakes, where he powered away to a 4-length victory. Trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Jose Ortiz, this speedster has only raced three times but shows the potential to go a distance despite his brief career. His pedigree suggests he can handle the demands of a classic race, and with a fresh approach and a steadily improving form, Clever Again is a dangerous horse to watch as he seeks to carry his early speed a bit longer.
BREEDING
One of two horses in this race sired by a Triple Crown winner – American Promise is the other – Clever Again is by 2015 Triple champ American Pharoah and out of the Galileo mare Flattering.
Flattering raced exclusively in Ireland and Great Britain and exclusively on turf. She won twice in her career, including a Group 3 victory going 1 ½ miles. Clever Again’s half-brother by Justify, Daddy Justify, has won twice, both times at route distances.
American Pharoah stands for $45,000, and his offspring win at a 16% clip at route distances, though just 10% going 1 ¼ miles and beyond. Some of his most productive runners – like $5.4 million earner Café Pharoah and Hong Kong-based millionaire Sword Point – have done their work aboard.
While his richest Stateside runner to date is Kathrynmarissa ($1.2 million), his most accomplished include the Grade 1 winners As Time Goes By and Harvey’s Lil Goil.
As a runner, of course, American Pharoah won nine of 11 starts, swept the Triple Crown, and obliterated the field in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, winning by over six lengths.
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