Wednesday's Trackside Preakness Report

BALTIMORE, MD – Always Dreaming (Bodemeister) exited the GI Preakness Stakes Barn's famed Stall #40 and began to walk the shedrow under tack just before daybreak at 5:30 a.m. on a very warm and humid Wednesday morning in Maryland.

With co-owners Terry Finley and Tom Bellhouse of West Point Thoroughbreds among the GI Kentucky Derby winner's entourage, Always Dreaming continues to show all the right signs at dawn, powering through another eye-catching 1 1/2-mile gallop with his neck arched as the rising sun provided a spectacular backdrop on the Pimlico backstretch.

Exercise rider Nick Bush had plenty to smile about as he guided the half-brother to GISW Hot Dixie Chick (Dixie Union) back to his current digs under the watchful eye of trainer Todd Pletcher with a growing flock of media not missing a beat.

“I thought he was in a zone,” Pletcher later commented.

Hence (Street Boss) and Senior Investment (Discreetly Mine), meanwhile, began to walk the shed just as Always Dreaming returned to the Stakes Barn at approximately 5:45 a.m.

Trainer Kenny McPeek led out the GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. hero and Hence, a disappointing 11th in the Derby, quickly followed suit while being ponied to the track by Steve Asmussen assistant trainer Scott Blasi.

McPeek had to like what he saw as he watched his flashy blaze-faced chestnut from the apron through the binoculars. Under a snug hold throughout, the powerfully built sophomore certainly left a lasting impression Wednesday morning, as did Hence, who was one of the buzz horses on the Churchill Downs backstretch leading up to the First Saturday in May.

Lookin at Lee (Lookin at Lucky) outran his 33-1 odds to finish a rallying second to Always Dreaming in Louisville, but still may be out for some respect in the second leg of the Triple Crown. Sporting a yellow Preakness saddle towel bearing the name Looking at Lee (tip of the cap to America's Best Racing's Dan Tordjman for first calling attention to this), the fellow Asmussen trainee, wearing black blinkers, ventured out with Blasi riding shotgun once again about a half hour later. Lookin at Lee's sire, of course, won this race in thrilling fashion back in 2010.

Whether Gunnevera (Dialed In) wants a Classic distance or not remains to be seen, but for what it's worth, the GII Fountain of Youth S. winner has exhibited a bit more bounce to his step in his mornings in Baltimore than he did leading up to the Derby. He was allowed to get some air in his lungs during the final three-eighths of his morning gallop, covering the distance in :43 3/5. “Big Money” Mike Smith will take over riding duties Saturday.

With trainer Mark Casse in attendance, champion Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile) joined Gunnevera on the track at 6:40 a.m. The GI Arkansas Derby winner jogged a mile and also galloped that same distance under regular exercise rider Martin Rivera, who gave the thumbs up upon return to a large crowd of fans assembled by the rail near the grandstand.

Wednesday's 'Sunrise at Old Hilltop' participants enjoyed plenty of nice behind-the-scenes action once again, including a close-up view of Gunnevera getting a bath on the backstretch. Assistant trainer Norm Casse also helped create some positive memories for another group of fans, briefly letting Classic Empire pose for some pictures after he was done getting cleaned following his earlier trip to the track.