Preakness Profiles: Alwaysmining

Alwaysmining cruised in the Private Terms Stakes at Laurel Park with Daniel Centeno in the irons. Photo by Dottie Miller.

#7 Alwaysmining (8-1)

Why he COULD win the Preakness: Maryland-bred has absolutely laid waste to his local rivals and enters the big race on a six-race win streak. He’s shown plenty of speed in his prior races, but last out in the Federico Tesio, he showed a new dimension when taking back to stalk the pace before drawing away to win by a pole while ridden out. Sure, he’s not beating much, but he’s doing it the way a good horse should. And if there are racing gods, surely, this Triple Crown season of controversy would be a good one to deliver the first Maryland-bred Preakness winner in 36 years and first female trainer to win the Middle Jewel every.

Why he SHOULD NOT be able to win the Preakness: Who’s he beaten? No one, really. The best rivals he’s overcome are Win Win Win, who finished ninth in the Kentucky Derby, and Gray Magician, who came in last. If he pulls to the front, he likely will have company early, and it’s a combination of newbies in trainer Kelly Rubley and jockey Danny Centeno, and who knows how they’ll handle the day?

Alwaysmining File

• Record: 12:7-0-1, earnings of $386,192
• Key Wins: “Win and you’re in” Federico Tesio Stakes
• Breeding: Stay Thirsty-What Will Be, by Anees, bred in Maryland by Avla Pitts
• Trainer: Kelly Rubley
• Owner: Runnymede Racing LLC
• Jockey: Daniel Centeno

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