A whole new cast of contenders will be facing Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown on May 17 in the Preakness Stakes, among them New York-bred Giant Moon, who took the Count Fleet Stakes at the Big A in January.

After a disastrous ninth-place finish in the Gotham Stakes over a sloppy track, the son of Giant’s Causeway rebounded with a respectable fourth in the Wood Memorial on April 5. With nearly six weeks and a number of solid works inbetween, trainer Richard Schosberg is thinking the second leg of racing’s Triple Crown could be a very nice spot for Giant Moon.

“My immediate instinct after the Wood was to go right to the Preakness,” said Schosberg, who trains Giant Moon for Albert Fried, Jr. “He’s the type of horse that can run well at a race like the Preakness. The distance isn’t a problem, and he can handle the tight turns. We had a great fourth in the Wood and six weeks is going to be real good for him.”

On the other hand, there’s Big Brown.

“He was absolutely awesome in the Derby,” said Schosberg of Big Brown. “If he can repeat that effort in two weeks, we’ll all be running for second. He looks like he’s unbeatable, but you still have to go around the track.”

Also under consideration for the Preakness are Behindatthebar, El Gato Malo, Kentucky Bear, Yankee Bravo, Stevil, and Pres Boraches.

In addition to Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes, a traditional prep for the $1 million Belmont Stakes on June 7, Belmont Park will also feature the Grade 3, $100,000-added Bold Ruler Handicap on Saturday.

Likely starters for the six-furlong Bold Ruler are Callmetony, Council Member, Executive Fleet, Lucky Island (ARG) and Man of Danger.

The big players here appear to be Executive Fleet, who was beaten a half-length by Bustin Stones in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct; Lucky Island, who has won three of four starts for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, and Man of Danger, who was second by three-quarters of a length to Sir Greeley in the Grade 3 Toboggan Handicap at Aqueduct on March 8.

Next Sunday’s feature will be the 30th running of the $100,000-added Kingston Handicap for New York-breds on the turf. Classic Pack, Dave, Mission Approved, North Country, R Clear Victory, Red Zipper and Spurred are probable for the mile and an eighth race.