BALTIMORE, May 21: Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo can silence his many sceptics when he faces 13 other colts in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course later on Saturday. Giacomo won the Run for the Roses two weeks ago after a blistering pace created the slowest finish over a fast track since 1974.

With Mike Smith in the saddle, many say Giacomo did not win as much as he survived. Rarely has a colt received such little respect following a Derby triumph.

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas, saddling Going Wild for the Preakness, boldly guaranteed there will not be a Triple Crown winner this year.

Pimlico officials made Giacomo only the fourth choice in the early betting line at 6-1.

“There’s no question Afleet Alex is the horse to beat,” offered Malibu Mooshine trainer King Leatherbury.

The lack of respect for the gray colt Giacomo suits trainer John Shirreffs just fine.

“It’s always a comfort feeling when there’s not a lot of pressure,” said Shirreffs, saddling his first Preakness horse.

“To be 1-5 would be awfully tough.”

Shirreffs said the son of Holy Bull is working out well.

“I like that he came out of the Kentucky Derby in very good shape,” he said. “His coat’s still good. He looks good on the track. He’s not nervous. It’s the way he’s been in the past.”

The 5-2 morning line favourite is Afleet Alex, who finished third in the Derby. The son of Northern Afleet will break from the number 12 post, one slot inside of Giacomo.

“Every time he runs, he tries as hard as he possibly can,” said trainer Tim Ritchey, who will stay with journeyman jockey Jeremy Rose. “That’s all you can ask of any athlete in any sport.”

Kentucky Derby runner-up Closing Argument should see some betting support breaking from the seventh spot. As a 71-1 choice in the Derby, the bay son of Successful Appeal finished a half-length behind Giacomo.

“He ran a winning race in the Derby,” said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. “If he runs the same race back, it’s good enough to win the Preakness.”

Trainer Nick Zito will bring three horses to the post, including 9-2 early choice High Fly. All five of Zito’s Derby horses finished out of the money but the Brooklyn native said he did not view the Preakness as a way to seek redemption.

Post positions for the field, jockey and early odds:

1) Malibu Moonshine, Steve Hamilton, 20-1; 2) High Fly, Jerry Bailey, 9-2; 3) Noble Causeway, Gary Stevens, 10-1; 4) Greeley’s Galaxy, David Flores, 15-1; 5) Scrappy T, Ramon Dominguez, 20-1; 6) Hal’s Image, Jose Santos, 50-1; 7) Closing Argument, Cornelio Velasquez, 5-1; 8) Galloping Grocer, Joe Bravo, 30-1; 9) Wilko, Corey Nakatani, 10-1; 10) Sun King, Rafael Bejarano, 15-1; 11) High Limit, Edgar Prado, 12-1; 12) Afleet Alex, Jeremy Rose, 5-2; 13) Giacomo, Mike Smith, 6-1; 14) Going Wild, Robby Albarado, 30-1.—Reuters