by Ed DeRosa

As the only likely Preakness Stakes (G1) starter currently at Pimlico Race Course, Kentucky Bear has been the center of attention since his arrival on May 7.

Assistant trainer Cassie Garcea has overseen Kentucky Bear’s preparations at the Pimlico Stakes Barn with Reade Baker, who trains for Danny Dion’s Bear Stables, only flying in and out of Baltimore on May 10 for the colt’s workout.

“It’s been an advantage for him,” Garcea said of the solitude. “He was able to settle in comfortably and he’s training great.”

On Tuesday, Kentucky Bear jogged two miles on a sealed Pimlico main track that finally can begin to dry out after days of record rainfall in the Baltimore area.

Kentucky Bear will race in the Preakness off five weeks rest since finishing third in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1). Dion wanted to run in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) but his colt lacked sufficient graded stakes earnings.

“He felt really good out there and gave me quite a workout,” Garcea said. “He’s worked well since the Blue Grass and matured, putting on weight and muscle. We were disappointed not to get into the Derby, but maybe it was a blessing.”

Kentucky Bear did not debut until January 21, when he won a maiden race at Gulfstream Park by 6 1/2 lengths, defeating eventual Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G2) runner-up Samba Rooster.

Kentucky Bear would be the third consecutive horse to win the Preakness who was unraced as a two-year-old, joining Bernardini in 2006 and eventual Horse of the Year Curlin last year.

“He’s a large horse and took more time to mature,” Garcea said of Kentucky Bear’s seemingly late start.

Kentucky Bear went on to finish seventh in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) in his only other start before the Blue Grass.

Team Kentucky Bear received some Preakness company in the stakes barn on Tuesday when Hey Byrn arrived at 6 a.m. after a 20-hour van ride from Calder Race Course. The Holy Bull Stakes (G3) winner will have his first look at the track on Wednesday morning.

“It’s been really quiet back here,” Garcea said. “I’m looking forward to having other horses and people around.”

Ed DeRosa is news editor of Thoroughbred Times