Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich talked about the importance of the horse racing industry in the state. He said, "We have an incredibly rich tradition of horse racing in this state, going back to 1868. The vast majority of people in Maryland understand what that tradition, meaning the past, the present, and hopefully the future, means to the state. The industry creates 20,000 direct jobs and another 60,000 indirect jobs. The horse racing and breeding industry is a significant contributor to our state. I want everyone to understand my and our commitment to this industry, to this sport, to this track, and to the 20,000 farms that make this state great. We will insure that this industry has the tools to compete in an incredibly competitive environment."
Trainer King Leatherbury, who has Malibu Moonshine entered, said, "I wouldn't mind finishing second, and then the winner is disqualified! That will make up for all the times the stewards have taken me down!" This is only the 4th horse he has entered in the Preakness and his first in 20 years. Host Chris Lincoln presented Leatherbury with a gift of a collection of racing ties in connection with a running joke between them about whoever lived the longest got the other's ties.
Trainer and co-owner of Hal's Image, Barry Rose, said, "He's had a lot of starts. He's really come around over the last three months. Hopefully he'll handle the pressure and be in there at the end. The whole family will be here. 4 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren (of Barry's father Harold Rose) will be here Saturday."
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin who has Derby runner-up Closing Argument entered said, "We never lost faith in our horse and I'm grateful to the owners for putting up the $50,000 to run him (in the Derby) so we were hoping to win that money back. He always tries hard, he hits the board every time. He's been galloping regularly, every day, and when he worked 49 flat (4 furlongs at Belmont on May 16) he looked great doing it even though it was a little bit fast."
Preakness favorite Afleet Alex's trainer Tim Ritchey said, "He came out of the Derby very well, and he's been here (at Pimlico) longer than any other horse (in the field) so he's accustomed to these new surroundings and the surface. Hopefully we get a better trip in the Preakness, a more successful trip. He'll try to get the job done. The distance (1 3/16 miles) is just fine, he'll run a great race."
Today was also the first day all the Preakness horses were at Pimlico, so most were out on the track to stretch their legs and get a feel for the surface. You can get details for these works here from Pimlico and view lots of photos from them here.
