BALTIMORE (AP) — Catching Freedom got a few days off after finishing fourth in the Kentucky Derby.

When he returned to the track, he looked like a fresh horse rather than one who had just run a race against elite competition.

After some consideration, trainer Brad Cox and his camp decided to send Catching Freedom to the Preakness, one of the final entrants in the field.

Catching Freedom has looked so strong in training at Pimlico Race Course, it was clear why they went in this direction.

“He acted like he could do it, so we thought about it and the more we did with him, the better he responded,” assistant trainer Blake Cox, Brad’s son, said Thursday. “It made it an easy decision.”

Catching Freedom has had some feisty moments this week, looking every bit like a colt who’s well-rested and eager to race again. He’s one of just three taking part in the second leg of the Triple Crown after being in the Derby, along with winner Mystik Dan and 17th-place finisher Just Steel.