Derby winner Orb impressive in final workout at Belmont Park before heading to Preakness

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Kentucky Derby winner Orb has completed his final workout before the Preakness Stakes, breezing four furlongs in 47.18 seconds at Belmont Park.

With exercise rider Jennifer Patterson aboard, Orb moved effortlessly around the track Monday morning. The time is considered fast for a final work before a big race.

Shug McGaughey was elated with what he saw. The trainer said the way Orb went “nice and relaxed, came home on his own, galloped out the way he did, dropped his head and walked home sent cold chills up my back.

“‘I’m on Cloud 9. I couldn’t be more thrilled.”

Orb will be driven to Pimlico in Baltimore later Monday to get ready for Saturday’s Preakness. A win would set up a Triple Crown chance in the Belmont Stakes on June 8. The last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed in 1978.

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