REISTERSTOWN, Md. (WJZ)– The second leg of the Triple Crown is just weeks away and the CEO of Under Armour may have a Preakness starter.

Jessica Kartalija reports.

Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank wanted to get Maryland horse racing back on track, and he’s doing just that.

Sagamore Farm– located on Belmont Avenue in Glyndon– was founded in 1925 by Issac Emerson, the inventor of Bromo-Seltzer. Later, under the guidance of Alfred G. Vanderbilt II, the farm became a premier training and breeding facility for the next half century.

Purchasing the historic farm in 2007, Plank and his team are now rebuilding the farm’s reputation.

“We think we can run a successful breeding and racing operation here in Maryland,” Plank said. “So there’s a lot of things we will have to do that are new and different and a lot of things we will have to bring back to life.”

Enter Tiger Walk, likely to be a new shooter for the 137th running of the Preakness Stakes.

“There’s probably no other day in the world where the entire country, if not around the world, look at the state of Maryland and say, ‘What’s happening there?’ And, that’s the Preakness,” Plank said.

This year’s race comes just two years after the financial future of the Preakness was at stake. There was talk the second jewel of the Triple Crown may be moved because Maryland couldn’t afford the cost of horse racing.

“We can’t let that race go away.” Plank told WJZ. “It’s important and I think people have forgotten about that. I am very lucky to be in the position where we can push and maybe remind people a little bit about it.”

With 28 horses of racing age at Sagamore Farms, Plank and his team have an exciting year ahead.

In addition to Tiger Walk, Millionreasonswhy and Humble and Hungry will race in the Miss Preakness and Dixie Stakes Preakness weekend.

“Our mission is to win the Triple Crown, so stay posted, stay tuned,” said Plank. “We’ll get there someday.”