Derby winner Orb gets prime Preakness digs

BALTIMORE - Orb has settled into the place reserved for royalty at Pimlico Race Course - Stall 40.

The Triple Crown hopeful arrived at Pimlico on Monday afternoon, five days before the Preakness. He was immediately taken to Stall 40 at the Stakes Barn, which traditionally serves as home to the Kentucky Derby winner.

Some of the greatest horses in history have been kept there, including the last three Triple Crown winners: Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977), and Affirmed (1978).

Orb was shipped by van after an outstanding workout at Belmont Park. With exercise rider Jennifer Patterson aboard, Orb seemed to move effortlessly around the track on a clear, sunny day in New York. He breezed four furlongs in 47.18 seconds and galloped out five furlongs in 59.54.

Trainer Shug McGaughey wasn't concerned with the fast fractions, which came nine days after running 11/4 miles in the Derby.

"I think it's a tribute to the way he came out of the Derby, and to come back and be able to have a workout like that and do it the way he did it - I couldn't be more thrilled," McGaughey said in New York. "Right now, I'm on cloud nine. The way he was striding today, the way he held his leads through the lane, I thought it was spectacular."

McGaughey understands the pressure of trying to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed, although he sees no reason to be nervous.

"Everything just of sort of keeps getting better, his demeanor and as much as he's enjoying what he's doing," the Hall of Fame trainer said.

Orb was the second horse to arrive at Pimlico, joining Goldencents, the 17th-place finisher in the Derby.

"I wanted to just get him down here, get him used to his surroundings," McGaughey said. "I like to school him in the paddock, and I didn't want to do too much at one time. So I thought we'd get him in here today, give him his off day tomorrow and then maybe we'll train a little on Wednesday."