The 6-1 Rodriguez, trained by three-time Belmont winner Bob Baffert and ridden by fellow three-time Belmont winner Mike Smith and the Todd Pletcher-trained Crudo, a 15-1 shot, are expected to jump to the front out of the gate and set the pace.

For McCarthy, the 54-year-old former assistant to Todd Pletcher, the Preakness was his second career Triple Crown triumph. He sent Rombauer to the winner’s circle in the 2021 Preakness. Rombauer then cashed a show ticket in the Belmont Stakes.