The field for the 151st Preakness Stakes is beginning to take shape with a series of significant developments emerging from leading stables across the United States, as connections weigh form, fitness and opportunity ahead of the second leg of the Triple Crown at Laurel Park.
Robert Zoellner’s homebred stakes winner Crupper is firmly on course for the May 16 showpiece, with trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel confirming the colt’s participation on Monday. Crucially, he will be partnered by 2025 Kentucky Derby-winning rider Junior Alvarado, who becomes available after Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott opted not to run Chief Wallabee.
Von Hemel had been waiting on that decision before committing. “I talked to them this morning,” he said. “Since Bill’s not going, that’s what we were waiting on.”
Crupper earned his place in the Preakness line-up with a determined victory in the Bathhouse Row Stakes at Oaklawn Park on April 18, a performance that secured him an automatic berth into the Middle Jewel. The son of Candy Ride has shown steady progression since his debut, improving markedly when stepped up in distance and fitted with blinkers.
After a modest sixth on debut at Churchill Downs, he broke through over 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn at generous odds before following up with a solid third in allowance company. His Bathhouse Row success over 1 1/8 miles, under Alvarado, confirmed both his stamina and consistency.
Von Hemel believes the colt’s pedigree points strongly toward further improvement as distances increase. His dam, She’s All In, stayed 1 1/4 miles at the highest level, finishing second in the Delaware Handicap.
“He’s the type that keeps finding,” Von Hemel explained. “He doesn’t have that sudden turn of foot, but he just keeps going. That’s what you like to see in these longer races.”
Crupper has continued to please in training, including a sharp five-furlong workout in 59.80 seconds at Churchill Downs’ Trackside facility on May 1. The plan is for a light final preparation before shipping to Maryland on May 12.
Elsewhere, Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo remains a possible runner, though trainer Cherie DeVaux is taking a measured approach following the colt’s demanding effort at Churchill Downs. Speaking on Monday, she indicated a decision would be made later this week after assessing the horse’s recovery.
“He gets a couple of easy days,” DeVaux said. “We’ll see how he comes out of it and decide by the end of the week.”
Another intriguing contender is Great White, who endured a dramatic Derby day incident when rearing and falling before the start, resulting in a late withdrawal. Trainer John Ennis reported the horse emerged unscathed and is now firmly under consideration for the Preakness, provided he satisfies connections in a scheduled workout.
“He’s full of energy and acting like nothing happened,” Ennis said. “If he works well, we’ll be heading to Laurel.”
Great White, who captured the John Battaglia Memorial earlier this season, is expected to adopt a patient, late-running style should he line up, a tactic his trainer believes could prove effective over the Pimlico trip.
Talk to Me Jimmy is another name still in the mix. The Withers Stakes winner worked steadily at Belmont Park on Monday and is entered in the Peter Pan Stakes at Aqueduct this weekend, a race that could determine whether he proceeds to the Preakness or takes an alternative route.
Trainer Rudy Rodriguez indicated that a final call will be made in the coming days, with the colt’s long-term development firmly in mind. “We want to keep him progressing without asking too much too soon,” he said.
With multiple storylines converging — from emerging talents like Crupper to the possible return of Derby hero Golden Tempo — the 151st Preakness Stakes is shaping into a compelling and competitive renewal. As always, the final field will hinge on late decisions, but the narrative is already rich with intrigue, ambition and opportunity.
For Von Hemel and Zoellner, participation alone marks a milestone, with this set to be their first appearance in a Triple Crown race together. For others, it is a chance at redemption, progression or confirmation at the highest level.
All eyes now turn to the coming days as the line-up edges closer to completion.
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