Kentucky Derby winner Mage will skip the Breeders’ Cup Classic after spiking a fever, his trainer said on the former Twitter.
On a troubled Preakness day, National Treasure took advantage of a slow early pace to give jockey John Velazquez his first Middle Jewel.
A loose horse and a good-feeling Mage could have made for an eventful morning, but in the end everything went smoothly for the Preakness favorite.
Mage, the 8-5 morning line favorite for Saturday’s Preakness, will leave from the three-hole, while local hopeful Coffeewithchris is in post four.
Derby winner Mage galloped at Churchill Downs, while First Mission had his final breeze in preparation for the May 20 Preakness.
Kentucky Derby winner Mage galloped at Churchill Downs Friday morning, after which his connections gave the thumbs-up for a start in the Preakness.
Kentucky Derby winner Mage is likely for the May 20 Preakness, if all goes well, and runner-up Two Phil’s is possible. Here’s who else might be coming.