Preakness Stakes: Orb out for light exercise on morning of Triple Crown's second leg

BALTIMORE - Kentucky Derby winner Orb was out for light exercise Saturday morning at Pimlico Race Course, some 12 hours before he is to run in the Grade 1. $ 1 million Preakness Stakes. He was one of a handful of horses that trained during an abbreviated session. Others training included Departing and Goldencents.

Orb jogged about a half-mile and galloped about five-eighths of a mile, according to his trainer, Shug McGaughey. Orb made his way to the track around 5:30 a.m., accompanied by a pony.

“I always train most of my horses on the day that they’re in, to let them just settle in for the day,” McGaughey said. “It’s going to be 12 hours before he runs. This will let him settle in, and make sure he’s okay.”

McGaughey said Orb had the same routine prior to the Kentucky Derby, as well as for all of his races.

Orb will be saddled for the Preakness in the indoor paddock, then brought to the infield for riders-up, said McGaughey. Connections have their choice of either saddling in the paddock or infield, with riders-up for all in the infield, according to a racing official with Pimlico.

“We’ll saddle in the inside then go outside,” said McGaughey.

Orb also schooled in the indoor paddock on Wednesday.

Illinois Derby winner Departing jogged on Saturday morning, heading to the track a few minutes before Orb.

“He jogged one mile, just to keep him in a little bit of a routine, a little bit of a rhythm,” said Al Stall Jr., who trains Departing. “He’ll be stuck in the stall from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. or so, so this just gives him something to do.”

Goldencents jogged, too, according to his trainer, Doug O’Neill. Trainer Bob Baffert said Governor Charlie walked this morning.

Post for the Preakness is 6:20 p.m. Eastern.