BALTIMORE — No one is loving the run up to today's Preakness more than Doug O'Neill.
The trainer of Kentucky Derby winner I'll Have Another has spent nearly two weeks in Baltimore, hanging with Ravens coach John Harbaugh, throwing out the first ball at an Orioles game, and hammering away at Maryland crabs for the first time. He also huddled with Secretariat's jockey Ron Turcotte about racing strategy, held daily news briefings at the stakes barn and was forthcoming when asked about his history of violations for giving his horses improper drugs.
Through it all, O'Neill and his crew are enjoying the moment in their own California free-wheeling style .
"It's been a blast. Incredible. We've taken advantage of it, and done some cool things," O'Neill said Friday morning, wearing a Preakness cap signed by area school children. "They just really rolled out the red carpet for us. Obviously, it's a lot of fun when your horse is doing as good as he is."
I'll Have Another has been doing just fine since catching the speedy Bodemeister in the final 100 yards to win the Derby by 11/2 lengths two weeks ago.
"He looks fantastic. Great energy," O'Neill said. "He's maintained his beautiful, long stride. We're just very happy with each day that goes by."
Life can become a whole lot happier for O'Neill if I'll Have Another wins the Preakness. A victory over 8-5 morning-line favorite Bodemeister and nine other rivals would set up a Triple Crown attempt three weeks later in the Belmont Stakes.
It's been 34 years since Affirmed swept the Derby, Preakness and Belmont and became the 11th Triple Crown champion. Since then, 11 horses have won the first two legs only to come up short in the Belmont. The most recent try came in 2008, when Big Brown was pulled up around the turn for home and finished last.
O'Neill isn't even bothered that I'll Have Another is the 5-2 second choice behind the horse he defeated. He noted this is his first Preakness while Bodemeister's trainer Bob Baffert has won the race five times in 11 tries.
"I totally respect that. I just hope anyone who bets Bodemeister is regretting it Saturday night," O'Neill said earlier in the week.
Baffert, meanwhile, has been singing the praises of his colt, who set a blistering pace in the Derby, but was unable to fend off I'll Have Another. After watching him gallop at Churchill Downs earlier in the week, Baffert gave a thumb's up and had Bodemeister shipped to Pimlico Race Course.
On Friday, Baffert said his colt is coming into the race in great shape, but knows the Derby winner is the horse to beat.
"He's a good horse. He's won all three of his races this year against a strong group of California horses," Baffert said, referring to I'll Have Another. "I respect the Derby winner. I come here hoping I can turn the tables this time and get it done."
The Preakness is a sixteenth-of-a-mile shorter than the Derby, about equal the distance to the wire in the Derby where Bodemeister lost the lead.