Why He Could Win

• Mr. Big News (12-1) – Allied Racing Stable LLC/Bret Calhoun/Gabriel Saez
• Race record: 8: 2-1-1, earnings of $468,553

Ran a huge race in the Derby closing from 10th to loom a threat before emptying out a bit and settling for third, beaten just over three lengths…

Was five wide on the turn for home, which cost him ground against the winner, who took the inside route…

Closing style could be an asset in a race with some early speed types, including the favorite…

Improving sort has seen Beyers climb higher in every race, reaching a new top of 101 in the Derby…

Makes third start off a three-month layoff

Why He Could Lose

His Derby effort was a big step forward — he was one of the longest shots on the board at 46-1 — and you have to wonder if he can double up…

His big Derby try came off a seven- week break; will the four weeks between Derby and Preakness pose a problem?

First Preakness try for trainer Calhoun and rider Saez, with a runner who needs lots of things to go right in front of him to contend for the money…

Has to contend not only with Derby winner Authentic but also two rivals who bested him when sixth in the Blue Grass: Art Collector and the filly Swiss Skydiver…

What They’re Saying About Him

“He gave me a pretty good thrill. Between the three-eighths pole and the quarter pole, I thought he might win the whole thing,” said Bret Calhoun, the trainer of Mr. Big News. “I thought the ones on the front end had gone pretty quick and might come back to us a little bit. But they ran huge races and didn’t back up.”

Since the Derby, Mr. Big News has had a pair of half-mile breezes in preparation for the Preakness. On September 18, he went the half-mile in 48 4/5 seconds at Churchill Downs, and he followed that up with a 50 2/5-second move September 25.

“We had two nice breezes in between,” Calhoun said. “We haven’t asked him for a lot; he’s pretty fit, pretty ready, we think he’s continued to move forward. Everything seems to be going his way.”

Video Past Performances