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| Staff Writer |
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Trainer Butch Reid announced that Gr.3 Withers Stakes champion Uncle Heavy will join the field for the Gr.1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course, foregoing consideration for the Gr.3 Peter Pan Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack.
"The horse was the motivating factor. He was doing so well. He's training lights out. We couldn't be happier with him. If there was ever a time to take a chance and run in a Triple Crown race, this is it," Reid said.
Uncle Heavy, a Pennsylvania-bred offspring of Social Inclusion, boasts three victories in five starts for owners Michael Milam and LC Racing. His recent outing saw him secure fifth place in the Gr. 2 Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack.
The Preakness Stakes field is anticipated to feature contenders such as Muth and Imagination from Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and Just Steel and Seize the Grey from fellow Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas. Additionally, potential starters include Kentucky Derby-eligible Mugatu, with leading contenders like Mystik Dan, Tuscan Gold, Federico Tesio Stakes winner Copper Tax, and Bathhouse Row Stakes winner Informed Patriot.