Oaklawn Invitational could boost strong Preakness 2019 field

The 2019 Preakness Stakes is already shaping up to be among its deepest renewals in years, and Saturday’s Oaklawn Invitational should add to the fray.

Oaklawn Park, with an extended meet running through Kentucky Derby day, will see the winner of its new $300,000 stakes receive a fees-paid berth to the second leg of the Triple Crown Series.

Eleven have entered the 1 1/8-mile race, with all but three of those previously appearing in points-paying Derby preps. Familiar names include the Holy Bull (G2) winner Harvey Wallbanger, Arkansas Derby (G1) fourth Laughing Fox and Math Wizard, who closed to hit the board in the Wood Memorial (G2).

Those new to the Triple Crown trail are local maiden winners Proverb and Comedian, as well as Hidden Ruler, a stakes-placed Dallas Stewart runner who hasn’t been worse than second in four starts.

Post time for the Oaklawn Invitational, Race 11, is 6:38 p.m. ET — minutes before the Kentucky Derby.

Oaklawn Invitational Field

The maiden Bodexpress, second to Maximum Security in the Florida Derby (G1), would be next in the Kentucky Derby field should a scratch happen. If not, he is expected to go on to the Preakness.

Stakes winners Anothertwistafate, Owendale, Signlaman and Sueno are also probable to move on. Bourbon War has options that include the Preakness and the May 11 Peter Pan, (G3), a local prep for the Belmont Stakes.

Then there’s the home team of sorts. Maryland-bred Alwaysmining has blitzed his competition all winter and spring at Laurel Park. The 11 1/2-length winner of the April 20 Federico Tesio has a “Win and You’re In” trip to Pimlico locked up as well.

The May 18 Preakness runs at 1 3/16 miles.