Trainer Steve Asmussen’s stable has long been a pipeline for top-level talent, and his latest Preakness Stakes hopeful, Clever Again, is beginning to make a strong case for himself among the elite. While most eyes were on his more established barnmates Tiztastic and Publisher during their Kentucky Derby preparations at Churchill Downs, Clever Again quietly logged a significant workout aimed at the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore.
Asmussen has been around enough high-caliber horses to recognize when one belongs in that company. Clever Again, although slightly under the radar, has consistently trained alongside some of the most promising names in his barn. It’s clear that Asmussen values the colt’s potential, having watched him grow and compete with the likes of Publisher and the sidelined Magnitude, winner of the Risen Star.
The colt’s most recent drill—five furlongs in 1:00 2/5—came early Sunday morning and was described by the trainer as strong and well-timed. Asmussen, a two-time Preakness winner, suggested that Clever Again is likely to pick up the intensity next week, a signal that the connections are serious about his chances in the second jewel of the Triple Crown.
Clever Again’s pedigree also supports high expectations. A son of American Pharoah, the 2015 Triple Crown champion, the colt has shown both early speed and the ability to carry it over longer distances. His record speaks for itself: two wins from three starts, including an eye-catching performance in the Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn Park. That effort saw him take the lead early and dominate the field, defeating Gaming, last year’s Del Mar Futurity winner, by four lengths.
His journey to this point has been gradual but steady. After narrowly missing in his debut last spring, he returned to action this February with a front-running maiden win over 1 1/16 miles. That victory served as a springboard into stakes company, where he once again set the pace and never looked back in the Hot Springs.
According to Asmussen, distance should be no obstacle for Clever Again. The colt possesses not just early foot but also a fluid, high-speed cruising ability that allows him to sustain his momentum over routes. The fact that he has yet to be truly tested at the end of his races suggests there may be more untapped potential.
Clever Again is campaigned by the same connections behind Tiztastic, combining the interests of Winchell Thoroughbreds with the powerful international ownership trio of Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith. This kind of backing further emphasizes the level of confidence placed in the colt’s future.
With his recent form, pedigree, and strong support from an elite barn, Clever Again looks poised to make a meaningful impact in the Preakness Stakes. As contenders begin to emerge for the 1 3/16-mile classic, his name continues to gain traction among those not headed to the Derby, alongside other prospects such as Gosger, Bracket Buster, and Built.
