Preakness Stakes (G1) notes from Laurel Park

This year's Preakness Stakes (G1) is full of bargain-priced horses, with seven of the 14 entrants costing less than $200,000. Despite being the least expensive horse in the field, selling for $12,000 as a yearling, Ocelli boasts the highest earnings.

Following the event's tradition of recalling the reasons, bad luck, or excuses that cost their Kentucky Derby (G1) entrant victory, trainer John Ennis at this year's Preakness Alibi Breakfast May 14 at Laurel Park, told the sad tale of Great White.

While the Pimlico Special Stakes (G3) has moved to Laurel Park this year, most everything else will be familiar for Awesome Aaron as the 7-year-old Practical Joke gelding aims to win the race for a second straight year.

My Miss Mo may not have been ready for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) but she certainly seems on edge for the May 15 George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) at Laurel Park.

The June 29-30 Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit will feature presentations on the progress of the racing industry and how diagnostic equipment and technology are being used to assist in racing safety. 

Back-to-back Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) winner Groupie Doll has been retired from broodmare duties at Whisper Hill Farm, according to the farm's Facebook page.

Last year's Arlington Million Stakes (G1T) winner Fort Washington will aim to return to top form May 16 when he tries to win the $250,000 Dinner Party Stakes (G3T) for a second straight year, this time around at Laurel Park.

Spend enough time around horses and you’ll quickly realize one thing: no two horse owners are exactly alike. Every barn has its own personalities, routines, obsessions, and unofficial characters. Some horse people are hyper-organized perfectionists. Others are somehow surviving on coffee, baling twine, and pure determination.

No matter the discipline, budget, or breed preference, every equestrian facility tends to have a few familiar personalities roaming the aisles. And if you’ve been around horses long enough, you’ve probably been at least three of these people yourself.

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program to host its 23rd Annual All-Thoroughbred Charity Horse Show from May 29-31 at Highfields Event Center in Aiken, S.C.