Bodemeister’s Kentucky Derby (G1) hero Always Dreaming was assigned gate 4 for Saturday’s $1.5 million Preakness S. (G1) and will face four foes he defeated in the May 6 Run for the Roses.
Trainer Todd Pletcher was content with Wednesday’s draw and planned to employ similar tactics that carried his colt to victory at Churchill Downs.
“I think it’s fine,” Pletcher said. “He was four in the Florida Derby, five in the Kentucky Derby. He’s generally a very good horse away from the gate, and we’ll just try to come away and establish some position and see what some other horses are doing.”
Pletcher was also extremely pleased following Always Dreaming’s exercise routine Wednesday morning, saying the colt was “in the zone”.
Always Dreaming’s main competition figures to come from Classic Empire and Gunnevera, who drew posts 5 and 6, respectively, and Derby runner-up Lookin At Lee, who drew post 9.
Always Dreaming has propelled Bodemeister to the top of this year’s Second-Crop Sire list. Should the dark bay win on Saturday, he will have avenged Bodemeister’s runner-up finishes in both the Derby and Preakness during the 2012 Triple Crown season.
