May 15 (UPI) -- Kentucky Derby winner Mage is a go for the Preakness Stakes, second jewel of the U.S. Triple Crown, and will have to deal with some promising newcomers in that race.
The announcement that the Triple Crown is still on the line came from Mage's connections after the colt worked well Friday morning at Churchill Downs and got the racing weekend off to a promising start.
From there, a few surprises ensued. A 9-year-old New York-bred defended local honor in the Man o' War at Belmont Park. No Nay Hudson and No Nay Mets both got upset wins with the latter earning a Royal Ascot trip.
It was not a great weekend for trainer Doug O'Neill's Dubai squad, as Ah Jeez came in eighth in his return at Churchill Downs and Go Soldier Go was a distant fifth in his comeback in the Peter Pan at Belmont Park.
On the international front, Songline nipped Sodashi in Japan to earn a Breeders' Cup berth.