Pair of Derby horses to skip Preakness, come back in Belmont

12:50 PM ET

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — There will be no Preakness for Brody’s Cause, nor for Suddenbreakingnews. Now all that remains from those conquered by Nyquist in the Kentucky Derby are Exaggerator and Lani, with a decision still pending from the Gun Runner camp.

As of Thursday, Nyquist topped a lineup of at least 11 3-year-olds likely for the 141st Preakness on May 21 at Pimlico in Baltimore, where entries for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown will be taken and drawn Wednesday.

Trainer Dale Romans, who still will have Cherry Wine in the Preakness, briefly thought about the Preakness for Brody’s Cause before coming to the realization that the June 11 Belmont Stakes is a better option for the late-running colt. Brody’s Cause, the winner of the Blue Grass Stakes, was never a threat when seventh in the Derby last Saturday at Churchill Downs.

“There’s the time between races, the distance, all the factors everybody already knows about,” said Romans. “The horse came out of the race great, but still, this is our best option.”

Likewise, the connections of Suddenbreakingnews, fifth in the Derby, will point for the Belmont after flirting with the idea of a Preakness trip.

“Bottom line is it’s the best thing for the horse,” said trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel.

On a very quiet Thursday morning at Pimlico, Nyquist returned to training for a second day, merely jogging two miles over a sloppy and sealed racetrack as assistant Jack Sisterson looked on. Trainer Doug O’Neill was scheduled to arrive later Thursday from California and will be on hand for the …

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