
First Mission Scratched from Preakness, Smallest Field in Decades.
First Mission has been scratched from the Preakness Stakes due to a left hind issue that couldn't be fully identified by vets on the grounds at Pimlico, leaving seven entrants in the race and marking the smallest field since 1986. The scratch comes after five horses were unable to compete in the Kentucky Derby and seven horses died during Derby week, putting equine safety back in the spotlight. First Mission was expected to be one of the horses to set an early pace for the race. The Preakness will air live on NBC at 6:50 p.m. ET on Saturday.




