BALTIMORE (AP) — Maybe it’s because she’s a girl among boys. Perhaps it’s because the horse hasn’t won in 10 months, or ever attempted a race this long.

Whatever the reason, Ria Antonia is the long shot in the 10- horse Preakness field, a whopping 30-1 underdog behind 3-5 favorite California Chrome, the Kentucky Derby winner.

“I wish she was 50-1,” co-owner Ron Paolucci said of Ria Antonia. “The way she works and trains, she thinks she’s 3-5.”

After finishing sixth in the Kentucky Oaks two weeks ago, Ria Antonia will attempt to become the first filly to win the Preakness since Rachel Alexandra in 2009. Paolucci isn’t guaranteeing a victory Saturday, but he expects his 3-year-old to be right there.

“She’s as fast as any horse in the race,” Paolucci insisted. “She worked with all of (Hall of Fame trainer) Bob Baffert’s horses and she more than held her own. She’s a great work horse. Has she translated that every race? No. But she has the ability. Can she beat California Chrome if he runs as good as he did in the Derby? No. Would it be embarrassing to run second if California Chrome runs freakishly good again? No. We’re not planning on being that far out of it.”

Paolucci likes the way his horse rebounded from the May 2 race at Churchill Downs, so he thought it would be a good idea to enter the Preakness.