Always Dreaming was an excitable boy when he arrived at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby after spending tranquil winter months at Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach, Fla.
The pre-Derby buzz was a bit unnerving for the colt, leading trainer Todd Pletcher to move to draw reins, which allow for greater control, and to shift to Nick Bush, someone he viewed as a stronger exercise rider, as the race neared.
Although history will show that Always Dreaming settled in well enough at Churchill Downs to run a dream race for his jockey, John Velazquez, in taking the opening leg of the Triple Crown by 2 ¾ commanding lengths, Pletcher is doing everything he can to see that the run-up to the Preakness goes more smoothly.