After a curious weekend of horse maneuvering, the Preakness Stakes field began to firm up Monday. Hull, one of the few speed horses targeted for the race, dropped out. Friesan Fire, the Kentucky Derby favorite, checked in.
Co-owner Barry Irwin couldn't reach a comfort level with the re-formed field - and the arrival of Rachel Alexandra - so he pulled out Hull.
"When I committed to run in the race, I liked the way it was setting up," he said. "I think the pace is going to be too hot. I don't like the way it's shaping up for our horse."
The 1 3/16 mile Preakness would have been Hull's first race around two turns, and the unbeaten son of Holy Bull will aim for the Belmont undercard on June 6 instead.
"I just think there's too much speed in there, and I'm not comfortable," Irwin said.
Friesan Fire, meanwhile, became the third Preakness horse to arrive at Pimlico Race Course, joining Big Drama and Papa Clem. It is uncertain whether he will run Saturday, however. The son of A.P. Indy suffered cuts on his left front leg in an 18th-place finish in the Derby.
He was scheduled to work out Tuesday morning with jockey Gabriel Saez before a decision is made on racing. Trainer Larry Jones, who did not accompany the colt Monday, will be at the workout.
It's a breeze
Four Preakness horses breezed on Monday in final preparations. Pioneerof the Nile, second in the Kentucky Derby, worked a 47.60 second half-mile at Churchill Downs. Flying Private, last in the Derby, ran a half-mile in 48.20, and Derby winner Mine That Bird went 49.20, both at Louisville.
At Pimlico, jockey John Velazquez broke Big Drama for the first time and went a half-mile in 50 seconds flat.
"He did everything very, very easy," Velazquez said after his first time aboard Big Drama. "He was going to the pole a little bit strong, so I wanted to be a little cautious with him."
Set for arrival
Mine That Bird, Flying Private, Lov Guv and General Quarters are scheduled to arrive at Pimlico on Tuesday. Rachel Alexander, Pioneerof the Nile and Terrain are scheduled for Wednesday. Musket Man (third in the Derby) and Laurel-based Tone It Down, son of Medaglia d'Oro, will come Saturday. Trainer Todd Pletcher has yet to confirm an arrival for Take the Points.
