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A19
SPORTS Saturday 20 May 2017

Always Dreaming

Continued from Page 17
In the Preakness, Always
Dreaming will break from
the No. 4 post, a spot that
has produced 13 winners
but none since Curlin in
2007. One spot over on his
outside will be Classic Em-
pire, last year’s 2-year-old
champion who finished
fourth in the Derby after
getting knocked around
coming out of the starting
gate.
“If anything, I have a
greater respect for Always
Dreaming,” said Mark
Casse, who trains Classic
Empire. “I think he’s going
to be tougher to beat than
I thought he would be go-
ing into the Derby.”
As the Derby champ, Al-
ways Dreaming will have
a bulls-eye on his back in a
smaller field going a shorter
distance than two weeks
ago.
“I would imagine that they
are going to target us and
the target is right next to Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming stands outside a barn as he is washed after a workout at Pimlico Race Course in Balti-
you,” Pletcher said. “We’re more, Thursday, May 18, 2017. The Preakness Stakes horse race is scheduled to take place May 20.
just focused on hope- Associated Press
fully breaking cleanly and
smoothly and letting him ing second in 2011 aboard 15-1 shot, has consistently volves Always Dreaming “We sit behind and watch,”
run to the first turn a little Kentucky Derby winner Ani- run at or near the lead in and Conquest Mo Money he said.
bit.” mal Kingdom. Pletcher is 0 his five career races. Al- dueling in the early stages. Even with Always Dream-
Neither Velazquez nor for 8, with his highest finish ways Dreaming and Clas- If the pace is too fast, it ing’s dominance this year,
Pletcher has won the coming in 2000 when Im- sic Empire have also shown gives closers a chance to eight of the past 12 Derby
Preakness. Velazquez is 0 peachment was third. speed. make a winning run at the winners did not win the
for 7, with his best finish be- Conquest Mo Money, a Casse’s ideal scenario in- end. Preakness.q