A field of 11 was drawn Wednesday evening for Saturday's GI Preakness S. GI Kentucky Derby winner I'll Have Another (Flower Alley) will break from post nine and was installed the 5-2 second choice on the morning line. Derby runner-up Bodemeister (Empire Maker) is the morning-line favorite at 8-5 and will break from post seven. The field, from the rail out, is Tiger Walk (Tale of the Cat), 30-1; Teeth of the Dog (Bluegrass Cat), 15-1; Pretension (Bluegrass Cat), 30-1; Zetterholm (Silver Train), 20-1; Went the Day Well (Proud Citizen), 20-1; Creative Cause (Giant' Causeway), 6-1; Bodemeister; Daddy Nose Best (Scat Daddy), 12-1; I'll Have Another; Optimizer (English Channel), 30-1; Cozzetti (Cozzene), 30-1.

Saturday, Pimlico
PREAKNESS S.-GI, $1,000,000, 3yo, 1 3/16m
PP	HORSE	SIRE	ODDS
1	Tiger Walk	Tale of the Cat	30-1
O-Sagamore Farm; B-River Bend Farm Inc. (KY); T-Ignacio Correas IV; J-Kent Desormeaux Lifetime Record: 7-2-0-1, $127,630.
Last Start: 4th Apr. 7 GI Wood Memorial
2	Teeth of the Dog	Bluegrass Cat	15-1
($80,000 yrl '10 KEESEP)
O-J W Singer; B-Royal Pegasus (KY); T-Michael Matz; J-Joe Bravo. Lifetime Record: 4-1-1-2, $136,450.
Last Start: 3rd Apr. 7 GI Wood Memorial
3	Pretension	Bluegrass Cat	30-1
($75,000 2yo '11 OBSMAR)
O-Kidwells Petite Stable; B-Sequel Thoroughbreds LLC (NY); T-Christopher Grove; J-Javiar Santiago. Lifetime Record: 8-3-3-0, $128,620.
Last Star: 1st May 5 Canonero S.
4	Zetterholm	Silver Train	20-1
O-Winter Park Partners; B-Anthony Grey (NY); T-Richard Dutrow Jr.; J-Junior Alvarado. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0, $123,505.
Last Start: 1st Apr. 6 (R) Patsyprospect S.
5	Went the Day Well	Proud Citizen	6-1
($15,000 wnlg '09 KEENOV; 26,000gns yrl '10 TATOCT)
O-Team Valor International & Mark Ford; B-James Patrick Delaney (NY); T-H Graham Motion; J-John Velazquez. Lifetime Record: 6-2-2-0, $415,345.
Last Start: 4th May 5 GI Kentucky Derby
6	Creative Cause	Giant's Causeway	6-1
($135,000 yrl '10 KEESEP)
O-Heinz Steinmann; B-James C Weigel (KY); T-Mike Harrington; J-Joel Rosario. Lifetime Record: 9-4-2-2, $929,000.
Last Start: 5th May 5 Kentucky Derby
7	Bodemeister	Empire Maker	8-5
($260,000 yrl '10 KEESEP)
O-Zayat Stables LLC & Michael Moreno; B-Audley Farm Inc (VA); T-Bob Baffert; J-Mike Smith. Lifetime Record: 5-2-3-0, $1,104,800.
Last Start: 2nd May 5 GI Kentucky Derby
8	Daddy Nose Best	Scat Daddy	12-1
($34,000 RNA wnlg '09 KEENOV; $35,000 yrl '10 KEESEP)
O-Cathy & Bob Zollars; B-Patricia Ann Elia Trust (KY); T-Steven Asmussen; J-Julien Leparoux. Lifetime Record: 11-4-2-1, $633,623.
Last Start: 10th May 5 GI Kentucky Derby
9	I'll Have Another	Flower Alley	5-2
($11,000 yrl '10 KEESEP; $35,000 2yo '11 OBSAPR)
O-J P Reddam; B-Harvey Clarke (KY); T-Doug F O'Neill; J-Mario Gutierrez. Lifetime Record: 6-4-1-0, $2,093,600.
Last Start: 1st May 5 GI Kentucky Derby
10	Optimizer	English Channel	30-1
O/B-Bluegrass Hall LLC (KY); T-D Wayne Lukas; J-Jon Court. Lifetime Record: 10-1-2-1, $215,594.
Last Start: 11th May 5 GI Kentucky Derby
11	Cozzetti	Cozzene	30-1
($47,000 wnl '09 KEENOV; $150,000 yrl '10 KEESEP)
O-Albaugh Family Stables LLC; B-Soc Agr. Santa Elena (KY); T-Dale Romans; J-Jose Lezcano. Lifetime Record: 7-1-0-1, $121,650.
Last Start: 4th Apr. 14 GI Arkansas Derby

The New York Racing Association, which is the subject of an ongoing state investigation into inaccurate take-out rates, released a statement Wednesday in response to a letter sent by John Sabini of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board and Robert Megna of the Franchise Oversight Board calling into question the validity of the organization's recent elections and the continuation of its casino subsidies.

Of its recent election of Ellen McClain and Kenneth Handal as president and secretary, respectively, NYRA's statement read, "NYRA's Board acted to insure that there was professional management in place to operate a complex business which has a significant economic impact on New York State. The NYRA Board has a fiduciary obligation to exercise its business judgment to protect the best interests of racing and the income stream that pari-mutuel wagering provides to the state."

The statement added that neither the Racing and Wagering Board nor the Franchise Oversight Board had authority over the naming of NYRA officers.

The statement concludes, "The suggestion in the May 15, 2012 letter from Chairman Sabini and Chairman Megna that the NYRA Board and other NYRA executives have a potential role in the improper take-out investigation, thereby making the NYRA Board's action inappropriate, is flawed. This reasoning would effectively paralyze the corporation based on innuendo. The Inspector General's investigation is ongoing and there should not be a rush to judgment until a final report is issued, and due process is provided."

Wednesday, York, Britain
TATTERSALLS MUSIDORA S.-G3, £65,000, York, 5-16, 3yo, f, 10f 88ydsT, 2:11.36, gd.
1--#@THE FUGUE (GB), 124, f, 3, by Dansili (GB)
1st Dam: Twyla Tharp (Ire) (GSP-GB), by Sadler's Wells
2nd Dam: Sumoto (GB), by Mtoto (GB)
3rd Dam: Soemba (GB), by General Assembly
O-Lord Lloyd-Webber; B-Watership Down Stud; T-John Gosden; J-William Buick; £36,862. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, £61,441. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ 'Triple Plus' Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2--Twirl (Ire), 124, f, 3, Galileo (Ire)--Butterfly Cove, by Storm Cat. O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-March Thoroughbreds; T-Aidan O'Brien; £13,975.
3--Esentepe (Ire), 124, f, 3, Oratorio (Ire)--Mythie (Fr), by Octagonal (NZ). (22,000gns yrl '10 TATOCT). O-Middleham Park Racing XXXVIII; B-Peter Kelly & Wendy Daly; T-Richard Hannon; £6,994.
Margins: 4HF, 3 3/4, HD. Odds: 15-8, 5-6, 20-1.
Also Ran: Salford Art (Ire), Aniseed (Ire), Good Morning Star (Ire).
Click for the Racing Post chart or the brisnet.com PPs. Video, courtesy Racing UK.
   The Fugue was the subject of positive spring reports, having created a favorable impression when winning her sole juvenile outing over seven furlongs at Newmarket in late October. Picked by William Buick over the fellow Gosden representative Starscope (GB) (Selkirk) in the May 6 G1 1000 Guineas, she was 1 3/4 lengths behind that runner-up and Maybe (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in fourth as the trio chased Homecoming Queen (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) in vain. Reportedly struck into early on at Newmarket, The Fugue's late effort smacked of Oaks potential, and it was a surprise that she was usurped for favoritism by Ballydoyle's strongly backed Twirl here. Always traveling strongly as Aniseed (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) was moved up to set genuine fractions, the bay cruised upsides Twirl as Joseph O'Brien took control on the market-leader approaching the quarter pole. William Buick was holding on to a double handful as the pair matched strides and, as soon as The Fugue was let down a furlong later, the result was settled in an instant. "They were a nice bunch of fillies and she was far superior," Buick said. "She ran in the Guineas only a short time ago and was unlucky--there was a barging match there and she got struck into--so I didn't want her to have a hard race today. She is a very reactive filly and was keen early on, but she is class. The Guineas wasn't a very nice experience for her and she was sharper here, and will learn as she goes on. She has tactical speed and I'm very hopeful of her staying a mile and a half, so she feels like a filly who has all the attributes you need at Epsom." Lady Lloyd-Webber added, "We were thrilled with that and we bred her mother, so she's second-generation and it was fantastic. It's so unlike John [Gosden] to race a filly that quickly after the 1000 Guineas and now they are talking about the Oaks, so fingers crossed. She is bred to do that, but the ground would have to stay good for her to. She hardly touches the ground and floats across it. She didn't like the ground at the Guineas, and did well to be fourth." The Fugue's dam has a 2-year-old Dansili colt named Ducab (Ire), a yearling Danehill Dancer (Ire) colt, and foaled a Shamardal colt Apr. 13.

Wednesday, Naas, Ireland
IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF BLUE WIND S.-G3, €77,500, Naas, 5-16, 3yo, f, 1 1/4mT, 2:17.64, gd/yl.
1--#@PRINCESS HIGHWAY, 121, f, 3, by Street Cry (Ire)
1st Dam: Irresistible Jewel (Ire) (GSW-GB & Ire, G1SP-Fr, $275,167), by Danehill
2nd Dam: In Anticipation (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
3rd Dam: Aptostar, by Fappiano
O/B-Moyglare Stud Farm; T-Dermot Weld; J-Pat Smullen; €50,375. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, €61,070. *1/2 to Mad About You (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}), GSW & MG1SP-Ire, G1SP-Fr, $520,993. Werk Nick Rating: A+ Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2--Aaraas (GB), 121, f, 3, Haafhd (GB)--Adaala, by Sahm. O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd; T-Kevin Prendergast; €15,500.
3--Was (Ire), 121, f, 3, Galileo (Ire)--Alluring Park (Ire), by Green Desert. (1,200,000gns yrl '10 TATOCT). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Lodge Park Stud; T-Aidan O'Brien; €7,750.
Margins: 1, 1 3/4, NK. Odds: 7-2, 12-1, 7-2.
Also Ran: Cleofila (Ire), Shebella (Ire), Aloof (Ire).
Click for the Racing Post chart or the brisnet.com PPs. Video, courtesy attheraces.com.
   Princess Highway, eighth at Leopardstown in her only juvenile start Oct. 30, stepped up from a Mar. 28 maiden score back at the Foxrock track to dent some lofty reputations--while enhancing her own--with an impressive score in this renowned Classic trial. Racing in second until looming large in the straight, the homebred bay took over at the quarter-mile marker and was ridden out to comfortably best Aaraas for a career high. Despite holding a trio of Group 1 entries, trainer Dermot Weld is inclined to target the June 21 G2 Ribblesdale S. at Royal Ascot, a race he won with her dam in 2002. "That was a nice performance by her and she is a lovely filly," Weld told irishracing.com. "We won the Ribblesdale with her dam and I think that is the logically way to go with her. It was always in my mind to come here and then go to [Royal] Ascot. She is a very nice, progressive filly, and I hope she might be as good as [G1 Epsom Oaks and G1 Irish Oaks victress] Blue Wind, who this race is named after. Epsom might be a bit premature for this filly, and I think it is the right strategy to go for the Ribblesdale." Irresistible Jewel has a 2-year-old Henrythenavigator filly named Midnight Thoughts, and recently produced a full-sister to the Blue Wind heroine.

Naas, 17.50, Cond, €15,000, 2yo, 6fT, 1:15.33, gd/yl.
DAWN APPROACH (IRE), c, 2, by New Approach (Ire)
1st Dam: Hymn of the Dawn, by Phone Trick
2nd Dam: Colonial Debut, by Pleasant Colony
3rd Dam: Kittihawk Miss, by Alydar
   Dawn Approach was given the perfect introduction and provided his freshman sire (by Galileo {Ire}) with a winner at the first attempt when accounting for subsequent scorer Canary Row (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire} by 1 3/4 lengths at The Curragh Mar. 25. That education stood him good stead for this second go, and he increased his margin of superiority over that rival to 5 1/2 lengths with an authorative triumph here. The chestnut was swiftly into stride to stalk the pace in a share of second until beyond halfway. Quickening to the front inside the quarter-mile marker, the crowd's 4-6 choice surged clear before gearing down late to still win by daylight. "He's got everything, he's the complete package and majors in temperament," enthused breeder/trainer Jim Bolger. "His dam was fairly precocious, but unfortunately she met with an accident early on in her 2-year-old career, so we never got the best out of her. Dawn Approach has gone on from one piece of work to the next and has taken it all in his stride. He'll definitely turn up at Royal Ascot next, most probably in the [Listed] Chesham S. [June 23]." Bolger added, "I'd say six [furlongs], seven [furlongs] or a mile doesn't matter [to him], but I wouldn't see him getting beyond a mile. For anybody who's interested in flat racing, when a Derby winner goes to stud I think everyone wants to see them do well, but not all of them do. I think New Approach will be sensational." Irish bookmaking firm Paddy Power immediately installed Dawn Approach at 20-1 favorite for next year's G1 2000 Guineas. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, €22,425. Click for the Racing Post chart or the free brisnet.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, courtesy attheraces.com. 
O-Mrs J S Bolger & J P Spain; B/T-Jim Bolger.

Bath, 19.10, Mdn, £4,900, 2yo, 5f 161ydsT, 1:13.45, gd/sf.
+SIR PRANCEALOT (IRE) (c, 2, Tamayuz {GB}--Mona Em {Ire} {SW-Fr}, by Catrail), a half-brother to Nice Applause (Ire) (Royal Applause {GB}), SW-Fr, $230,580, took a fierce hold on the front end after a slick exit from the outside gate. Settling into a rhythm before halfway, the 2-1 pick was stoked up approaching the final furlong and ran on strongly for minimal encouragement in the closing stages to score by an impressive two lengths from Strong Conviction (GB) (Piccolo {GB}). Sir Prancealot is the first winner for his freshman sire (by Nayef). Sales history: €52,000 wnlg '10 GOFNOV; €140,000 yrl '11 GOFSPT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, £3,340. Video, courtesy attheraces.com.
O-Andrew Tinkler; B-Dermot Cantillon & Forenaghts Stud; T-Richard Hannon.

© NYRA photo

A new twist in the New York racing saga...HH The Aga Khan has another potential star in Dalkala (Giant's Causeway)...Bill Oppenheim takes a look at the over-achieving group of second-crop sires in Europe. All that and more in today's issue.

The New York Racing Association, which has come under fire in recent weeks, faces further trouble after regulators sent a letter Tuesday requesting that the state lottery stop making daily support payments to the organization and instead direct them to a dedicated account. The letter, addressed to NYRA Chairman Stephen Duncker, was signed by John Sabini, chairman of the New York State Racing & Wagering Board; and Robert Megna, chairman of the Franchise Oversight Board.

Monday's announcement that the election of Ellen McClain and Kenneth Handal as NYRA's executive vice president and secretary, respectively, was also called into question by Sabini and Megna.

 In addition, the letter states, "upon completion of the Inspector General's report, the Racing and Wagering Board will be required to consider an Order to Show Cause to determine whether these actions by NYRA merit the revocation of its franchise."

 NYRA began receiving the casino subsidies late last year after the opening of the Genting Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct, and purses have jumped dramatically at the New York tracks since that time. The complete letter can be viewed here.

 Late Tuesday evening, NYRA issued a statement that the letter had been forwarded to its attorney, Brendan V. Sullivan Jr. (Williams & Connelly), and that it will respond upon review.

Tuesday, Saint-Cloud, France
PRIX CLEOPATRE-G3, €80,000, Saint-Cloud, 5-15, 3yo, f, 1 5/16mT, 2:13.70, gd.
1--#@DALKALA, 121, f, 3, by Giant's Causeway
        1st Dam: Daltaya (Fr) (GSW-Fr, $111,059), by Anabaa
        2nd Dam: Daltaiyma (Ire), by Doyoun (Ire)
        3rd Dam: Daltawa (Ire), by Miswaki
O-H H The Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC; T-Alain de Royer-Dupre; J-Christophe-Patrice Lemaire; €40,000. Lifetime Record: 3 starts, 3 wins, €69,000. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 

2--Poupee Flash, 121, f, 3, Elusive Quality--Modesty Blaise, by A.P. Indy. O-Niarchos Family; B-Flaxman Holdings Ltd; T-Pascal Bary; €16,000.
3--La Conquerante (GB), 122, f, 3, Hurricane Run (Ire)--Winning Family (Ire), by Fasliyev. (€80,000 yrl '10 ARQAUG). O-Bernard Magrez Horses; B-M3 Elevage & Haras d'Etreham; T-Jean-Claude Rouget; €12,000.
Margins: 4, 3HF, 4. Odds: 4.70, 5.70, 5.90.
Also Ran: Waldlerche (GB), Brocottes (Fr). Click for the Racing Post chart.
   Dalkala was two-for-two entering this Classic trial after two educational heats at Longchamp and exited with a greatly enhanced reputation and her perfect record intact. The form of her head defeat of Lady Apples (Fr) (Enrique {GB}) giving that rival four pounds in a 10-furlong conditions event last time Apr. 15 had been upheld when the runner-up was fourth in Sunday's Listed Prix de la Seine, but the betting suggested she would only play second fiddle to Waldlerche (GB) (Monsun {Ger}) here. Racing in third early several lengths off the pace set by that free-running 3-5 pick, the bay homebred swooped as that rival began to tread water with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and was hand ridden to draw clear of the staying-on Poupee Flash. "I liked this filly before the race and now I like her even more," trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre commented. "She won very well and I think we've found our filly for the G1 Prix de Diane [at Chantilly June 17]."

Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree Stable has enjoyed big success at Barretts juvenile sales in recent years, selling the March toppers in 2009, 2010 and 2012, as well the topper of last year's May Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. Wavertree was back at it Monday evening at the Hinds Pavilion at Fairplex Park in Pomona, California, topping the most recent edition of the May Sale with a $300,000 Master Command colt. Bloodstock agent Brett Lindenbaum, one of the principals of the racing partnership Summit Racing LLC, signed the winning slip.

The Kentucky-bred colt, who was produced by the 11-year-old stakes-placed Grinch (Salt Lake), represented a considerable return on the $37,000 that Dunne paid for him as a yearling at Keeneland September. The chestnut was consigned as hip 9 and breezed an eighth in :10 flat at the under-tack show.

According to the Summit website, Lindenbaum has assisted in the acquisition of Grade I winners as Tough Tiz's Sis, Cry and Catch Me, Sinister Minister, and Downthedustyroad.

Overall, 69 horses sold for $2,986,500. The sale average of $43,283 was up 15.7% from last year's corresponding figure of $36,466 (which included the sale of a one horse-of-racing age). The $23,000 median was up a similar 15%, from $20,000. A total of 16 horses failed to meet their reserves, equating to an RNA rate of 18.8%. For complete results, visit www.barretts.com.