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SPORTS Saturday 20 May 2017

Always

Dreaming THIEM

looks very

much for real
Dreaming has run away EFFORT
as Preakness

awaits

BETH HARRIS
AP Racing Writer
BALTIMORE (AP) — Always

from the competition in
four consecutive victo-
ries this year, winning by a
combined 23 ¼ lengths.
The dark bay colt was nev-
er challenged in winning
the Kentucky Derby by 2 ¾
lengths on a sloppy track
at Churchill Downs.
Whether he does it again
in the 1 3/16-mile Preak-
ness at Pimlico on Satur-
day depends on a good
trip, the tactics by his nine
rivals and a little luck. Al-
ways Dreaming is the early
4-5 favorite under jockey
John Velazquez. “Always
Dreaming hasn’t had
many obstacles to face,”
said Corey Lanerie, who
will ride Derby runner-up
Lookin At Lee. “Maybe
he’s that good that he
won’t encounter trouble.
But you never know.” After
three consecutive days of
90-plus-degree heat, the
forecast calls for a high of
68 and cloudy skies Satur-
day when the race goes
off about 6:48 p.m. EDT. Al-
ways Dreaming is a victory
away from setting up a bid
for the Triple Crown. Two
years ago, American Phar-
oah became the first horse
to sweep the Derby, Preak-
ness and Belmont in 37
years. “I’m someone who
has been in a lot of races
and lost a lot of races, so
I know you don’t want to
be overconfident,” trainer Nadal’s clay-court dominance ended in Rome
Todd Pletcher said, “but
I do feel very, very good Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after winning a game during his match against Dominic
about the way he’s com- Thiem of Austria at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Friday, May 19, 2017.
ing into it.” Thiem beat Nadal 6-4, 6-3.
Associated Press
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