India, May 17 -- Bob Baffert is absent from the Preakness Stakes field for the first time since 2022 after deciding to pull promising colt Crude Velocity from the race despite strong betting support and growing Triple Crown buzz. The veteran trainer, who owns eight Preakness victories and previously guided American Pharoah and Justify to Triple Crown glory, opted against rushing the colt back onto the track just two weeks after an exhausting Grade 2 Pat Day Mile victory.

Crude Velocity emerged as one of the early favorites for the Preakness after a dominant performance at Churchill Downs on May 2, where he defeated Englishman by 3 3/4 lengths in the Pat Day Mile with an impressive time of 1:33.87.

The performance immediately elevated ex...