A rumor that Kentucky Derby winner Mage might be in doubt for the Preakness Stakes was persistent enough that his owner took to Twitter to comment.

Ramiro Restrepo, one of Mage’s owners, said Mage bumped his forehead in his stall Thursday and received veterinary care but will be ready to come out of the gates Saturday. Restrepo called the wound “superficial” and said his training wasn’t interrupted.

“As per ALL Preakness starters, he was reviewed by the State Vets today and is ready to race,” Restrepo wrote.

The Preakness field already has been narrowed to seven after First Mission, one of the expected contenders, was scratched Friday morning with a left hind leg issue. The race hasn’t been run with such a small field since 1986.

Perhaps due to rumors of injury, Mage’s odds had dipped slightly as of Saturday morning to a 2-1 favorite (from 8-5 on the morning line). National Treasure, trainer Bob Baffert’s entry, improved to 3-1 odds.

Mage is attempting to become the first horse since Baffert’s Justify in 2018 to win the first two jewels of the Triple Crown.

kyle.goon@thebaltimorebanner.com