Mon May 5 11:11:45 2008

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Eight possible to face Big Brown in Preakness Stakes

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Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - The overpowering performance by Big Brown in Saturday's 134th Kentucky Derby has apparently scared away all but one his Run for the Roses rivals from the upcoming Preakness Stakes.

Illinois Derby champ Recapturetheglory is the only Derby finisher that might come back to challenge Big Brown on May 17. Trained by co-owner Louie Roussel, Recapturetheglory finished fifth to Big Brown at Churchill Downs. Roussel said that a final decision could be made Monday or Tuesday.

"We are getting in the car and either driving eight to 10 hours to Baltimore or New Orleans," said Roussel. Roussel and partner Ronnie Lamarque sent out Risen Star in 1988 to win the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes.

Among the other possible starters for the Preakness are Lexington Stakes winner Behindatthebar, El Gato Malo who was the defeated favorite in the Santa Anita Derby, Count Fleet Stakes champ Giant Moon, Harlem Rocker winner of the Withers Stakes, Blue Grass Stakes third place finisher Kentucky Bear, Stevil who was fourth in the Blue Grass, Arkansas Derby third place finisher Tres Borrachos and California Derby champ Yankee Bravo.

Big Brown will train at Churchill Downs for the Preakness and is expected to arrive at Pimlico Race Course on Wednesday, May 14. The colt can become the seventh Kentucky Derby winner in the last 12 years to capture the middle jewel of racing's Triple Crown.

"I like our chances because we have the best horse," said trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. "I am going to see a bunch of friends but I am going there with a horse that can win the race."

Dutrow is a Maryland native whose father Dickie Dutrow was one of the leading trainers in Maryland in the 1970's. The elder Dutrow captured four training titles at Pimlico during that decade.