Thu May 8 16:32:43 2008

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Big Brown leads Preakness contenders in workouts

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Louisville, KY (Sports Network) - Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown was the main attraction Thursday morning when several Preakness Stakes hopefuls went to the Churchill Downs track.

Big Brown, with Michelle Nevin riding, jogged a mile in preparation for the May 17 Preakness. The Churchill Downs surface was listed as muddy after heavy overnight rain and continued drizzle in the morning.

"Everything's good here," trainer Rick Dutrow said. Big Brown will be brought to Pimlico on Wednesday of next week, the day of the post position draw.

"He will go to Belmont after the Preakness," Dutrow said. "I'll let him hang out at (Bobby) Frankel's barn instead of Aqueduct. I think he should be training at Belmont. Pat Reynolds had him there (last year) and said he really liked the track there."

The colt is owned by IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr., and Kent Desormeaux will again be in the saddle for the middle leg of racing's Triple Crown.

Illinois Derby champ Recapturetheglory worked Thursday in Louisville with Lara Van Deren in the saddle. He galloped a mile on the muddy track.

Fifth in the Kentucky Derby, Recapturetheglory will leave Churchill Downs for Baltimore on Saturday night.

New Preakness probable Racecar Rhapsody galloped 1 1/2 miles Thursday morning. Jose Castanon was in the saddle for the gallop.

Racecar Rhapsody is coming off a fourth place finish in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland.

Trainer Ken McPeek was asked if the Preakness became an immediate target after his three-year-old finished just two lengths off the Lexington winner Behindatthebar.

"Not really. We were in no rush," McPeek said. "But the horse is doing well and the extra distance is an interesting factor."

Robby Albarado has the mount on Racecar Rhapsody. The jockey won last year's Preakness with Curlin.

Stevil, Tres Borrachos and Macho Again were the other Preakness probables that galloped Thursday morning at Churchill Downs.