Lukas Says Mr. Z Probable for Preakness 2015

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas said “we are probable” for the Preakness with Zayat Stables’ Mr. Z, the 13^th-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby.

“Mr. (Ahmed) Zayat is going to evaluate the field and the quality of it, but I would say we are probable,” said Lukas, a six-time winner of the Preakness. “The horse is doing really well. He came out of the race beautifully and we will read him throughout the week.”

Mr. Z galloped early Thursday morning with regular exercise rider Edvin Vargas aboard.

Meanwhile, trainer Dallas Stewart said he is thinking about a Preakness bid for Charles Fipke’s homebred Tale of Verve, who was entered in the Kentucky Derby but did not draw into the race from the also-eligible list.

Tale of Verve broke his maiden going 1 3/16 miles in his most recent start at Keeneland on April 23.

“He had a perfect setup for the Derby (with the win at Keeneland),” Stewart said. “What a coup that would have been. We wanted to run. I thought he would have run well. He had been training well here with two five-eighths works in :59 and change before that.”

Tale of Verve worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 here Monday and is slated for another breeze Sunday or Monday.

“He is a come-from-behind horse; a big good-looking horse like (2014 Derby runner-up) Commanding Curve,” Stewart said. “I think the Belmont may be better for him but he needs to run before then. He may run in the Preakness. I’ll talk it over with the owner.”