Unbridled’s Song Out of Preakness

Unbridled’s Song, the Kentucky Derby favorite who ran fifth despite a sore left front hoof at Churchill Downs, was declared out of the Preakness by his trainer Tuesday.

The defection of Unbridled’s Song will leave Cavonnier, barely beaten by Grindstone in the Derby, as the 8-5 favorite for the Preakness, which will be run Saturday at Pimlico.

The field will include three horses--Prince Of Thieves, Editor’s Note and Victory Speech--that are trained by Wayne Lukas, who will be trying to extend his Triple Crown streak to seven races.

Grindstone has been retired because of a knee injury. Others expected to run in the Preakness are Tour’s Big Red, Louis

Quatorze, Mixed Count, Feather Box, Skip Away and Secreto De Estado.

Since the Derby, Unbridled’s Song has been training at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., where his cracked hoof was patched. Earlier this week, he was reshod with regular racing plates after having run with protective bar shoes in the Derby.

Trainer Jim Ryerson said it was feared there would be too much stress on the hoof if Unbridled’s Song ran in the Preakness.

The colt is also not expected to run in the last Triple Crown race, the Belmont Stakes on June 8.