Preakness 2013: Normandy Invasion will miss race to rest

Normandy Invasion, which held a lead at one point during the Kentucky Derby and ended up finishing that race in fourth place, will skip the second leg of the Triple Crown. Trainer Chad Brown and owner Rick Porter got together to discuss their options following the Derby and ultimately decided to rest the horse rather than bring it back for the Preakness Stakes this weekend. Normandy Invasion will instead focus on races further down the road, like the Travers Stakes in August.

The field for the Preakness Stakes may end up being smaller than usual, in part because of the challenge presented by Kentucky Derby winner Orb, which will be trying to move one step closer to capturing the first Triple Crown since 1978.

While Normandy Invasion is sitting this event out, there will be several Kentucky Derby participants running against Orb this weekend. Top-ten Derby finishers Mylute, Oxbow and Will Take Charge will be in the race, as will three other horses that ran in the Derby. Several horses that did not race at Churchill Downs, like Illinois Derby winner Departing, will also be in the field.

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