Motion has Smart Bid set for Dixie

One race before trainer Graham Motion saddles Went the Day Well in the May 19 Preakness at Pimlico Race Course, the 2011 Kentucky Derby winning conditioner will send out Augustin Stable's homebred Smart Bid, the 7-2 overnight favorite in the Dixie Stakes.

First run in 1870 as the Dinner Party Stakes and won by the horse Preakness, the 2012 Dixie has drawn a full field of 11 runners. The $300,000 contest, which is the 11th race on the Preakness undercard, is slated for 5:18 p.m. EDT.

Both Motion and jockey Edgar Prado, who is scheduled to ride Smart Bid, have previously won the Dixie. Motion scored in the race twice (Dr. Brendler, 2003; Better Talk Now, 2006) and Prado once (Ops Smile, 1997).

Motion said he had been pointing Smart Bid toward the Dixie for quite some time.