Goal Oriented draws post 1 for Preakness 150

Just as Citizen Bull did for Bob Baffert in the May 3^rd Kentucky Derby (G1), Goal Oriented drew the inside post position for Saturday’s $2 million Preakness S. (G1) at Pimlico.

Baffert, who has won the Preakness a record eight times, saw some positives in the draw.

“Once you draw, you can’t think about it. Last time I drew the one here was with American Pharaoh. I drew the one with Lookin At Lucky (both would win the race). The one hole is not as bad here as it would be in the Derby,” said Baffert of Goal Oriented’s inside draw. “He is not as fast as these other horses on paper, but I think he is a good horse. I really thought he was a better fit than Rodriguez would have been.”

Goal Oriented emerged as a possible Preakness starter following his allowance win on Derby Day at Churchill Downs, then was confirmed following a very good workout on Sunday, along with Rodriguez being withdrawn from consideration due to a minor hoof issue.

Owned by SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan, Goal Oriented is making just his third lifetime start in Saturday’s 1 3/16-mile Classic and will be ridden by Flavien Prat.

The Preakness drew a field of eight 3-year-olds, including three from the Derby: Journalism, Sandman and American Promise. As the 13^th race on Saturday’s stakes-laden card, the Preakness post time is 7:01 pm ET.