BALTIMORE - Imperialism will make another run at Smarty Jones in Saturday's Preakness as part of a prospective 10-horse field that features the top three finishers in the Kentucky Derby.
Imperialism, who took third behind winner Smarty Jones and Lion Heart, enjoyed a spirited gallop Monday in California and is expected to arrive at Pimlico today.
Steve Taub, owner of the Kentucky-bred colt, initially planned to skip the 1 3/16-mile Preakness and focus on the 11/2-mile Belmont on June 5. But Taub opted to challenge unbeaten Smarty Jones and eight other horses in the middle race of the Triple Crown.
Imperialism closed with a flourish in the 11/4-mile race at Churchill Downs and appeared in excellent health Monday.
"He was taken to the gate for training at Hollywood and then galloped 11/2 times around the oval," Taub said. "His feet were dancing in the air when he got back to the stall."
Trained by 21-year-old conditioner Kristen Mulhall, Imperialism won the San Rafael and San Vincente then placed second in the Santa Anita Derby when Rock Hard Ten (who also is in the Preakness) was disqualified to third.
That was followed by an encouraging run in the slop at Churchill Downs.
Borrego, Little Matth Man, Eddington and local entry Water Cannon also are slated to run in the Preakness.
FIRST ARRIVALS: During an otherwise quiet day at Pimlico, Nick Zito carried on a tradition that has become as much a part of the Preakness as Black-eyed Susans: bringing his horses to the stakes barn ahead of the other entrants.
The Cliff's Edge and Sir Shackleton made themselves at home along with Birdstone, who finished eighth in the Kentucky Derby but likely won't run in the Preakness.
In 2001 and 2002, Zito's horses were the first to arrive at Pimlico. The strategy proved sound three years ago, when A P Valentine took second. Two years ago, however, Straight Gin and Crimson Hero finished out of the money.
Zito didn't have a horse in the Preakness last year.
Smarty Jones, Lion Heart, Borrego and Rock Hard Ten are expected to arrive Wednesday. Little Matth Man will arrive by van Friday from Philadelphia Park.
Water Cannon, from nearby Bowie, will arrive by van Saturday.
IN THE MONEY: The owners of Smarty Jones received the $5-million Centennial Bonus check from Oaklawn Park for winning the Rebel Stakes, Arkansas Derby and Kentucky Derby.
The bonus check, the largest in North American horse racing history, was offered by the Arkansas track's owner, Charles Cella.
"It was a wonderful concept, never to be duplicated again in thoroughbred racing," said Cella, who created the bonus to honor the track's 100th birthday and his family, which has owned Oaklawn since it opened.
Because of co-owner Roy Chapman's health, Cella traveled to Pennsylvania instead of awarding the prize in Arkansas. Chapman, in his wheelchair, is suffering from severe emphysema.
Smarty Jones took an easy 11/2-mile gallop with a pony on a closed Philadelphia Park track. Trainer John Servis said he might give the colt one more day on his own before the Preakness.
"I want him where he's ready to beat someone up," Servis said.
FAST WORKOUT: Borrego covered 4 furlongs in 46 seconds at Churchill Downs.
Borrego, who finished 10th in the Derby and was runnerup to Smarty Jones in the Arkansas Derby, has two wins in eight starts. His workout was the fastest among 53 horses who ran 4 furlongs.
Preachinatthebar and Rock Hard Ten worked 5 furlongs. Preachinatthebar, trained by Bob Baffert, covered the distance in 57.8 seconds while Rock Hard Ten took a minute.
Preachinatthebar, who won the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Park on March 14, was pulled from the Derby because Baffert was unhappy with the colt's training. Rock Hard Ten didn't run because he didn't earn enough prize money to qualify.
