Heart of Honor Aims for Preakness Glory After Dubai Races

Baltimore, Maryland

No horse in the Preakness Stakes field has traveled more miles to get to Baltimore than Heart of Honor. Bred in Great Britain and mainly raced in Dubai, this son of American sire Honor A.P. is eager to secure a victory on Saturday, May 17, after a runner-up finish in the UAE Derby on April 5. Heart of Honor is seeking to end a recent streak of second-place finishes and don the coveted blanket of Black-Eyed Susans.

Heart of Honor will be trainer Jamie Osborne‘s first starter in the United States since 2018. He will be ridden by Saffie, Osborne’s 23-year-old daughter, who will also make her debut in U.S. racing. The colt has an impressive record, having finished first or second in all six of his career starts, with his losses never exceeding 1½ lengths.

However, concerns arise regarding the quality of competition he has faced. In his last race, he finished second by a nose to Admire Daytona, a horse that later faltered, finishing last in the Kentucky Derby. This pattern of narrow defeats raises questions about his ability to secure victory in the Preakness.

Heart of Honor has experience running the Preakness distance, which assures his fitness level. Team Osborne, acknowledging the challenges ahead, decided to take a bold step by entering him in the Preakness rather than returning to the competitive racing circuit in Europe. “If we didn’t run here, we’d be turning him out until next year’s Dubai season,” said Osborne.

Heart of Honor will make his way to Pimlico on Tuesday after quarantine. He has adapted well after the exhausting journey from Dubai to England to the U.S. He will wear blinkers again, a method that successfully helped him maintain focus during races.

“He’s tough, and he’s thriving,” Osborne stated, expressing his optimism. Despite the tall order ahead in his U.S. debut, Osborne remains hopeful that his horse’s consistency and fitness will shine through on race day.

With the post position draw benefiting Heart of Honor’s running style, he is expected to run midpack, which may lessen the importance of drawing a specific gate. Having drawn the No. 4 post, he should be able to save ground and make a move when it counts in the stretch.

Heart of Honor’s connections remain cautiously optimistic about their chances this Saturday. The odds will reflect his recent performances, but faith in his ability continues to grow.