Saturday outlines a 136th using of a Preakness Stakes, a center valuables of equine racing’s Triple Crown. Animal Kingdom scored an dissapoint in a Kentucky Derby during 21-1, though this handicapper had him tapped as a tip contender, as good as 2nd preference overall. Can he win again in Baltimore, as good as conduct to a Belmont as racing’s Next Great Hope?
Racing in Maryland is dying. The Preakness has flattering many turn a usually suggestive day in a state abounding with racer tradition. Still, over a past decade, a Preakness has emerged as a pass competition between a 3 Triple Crown events. While a Derby has constructed a fibre of winners which went upon to get ahead small else (Giacomo, Mine That Bird, Super Saver), a Preakness has constructed a horde of champions which embody Rachel Alexandra, Curlin, Afleet Alex, Bernardini, as good as Lookin during Lucky. Lately, a Preakness has not been producing flukes.
The New Guns: There was a time when using in a Derby was a pass cause to winning a Preakness, as good as whilst we still consider which there’s a little consequence to that, Bernardini & Rachel Alexandra have been new examples which it can be accomplished though a Derby experience. 9 of this year’s fourteen Preakness contenders come in a ravel though a Derby start. Dance City as good as Sway Away both come in off a Arkansas Derby, finishing 3rd as good as 4th, respectively. While Nehro’s Derby opening flatters which race, we still see conjunction as expected to uncover a compulsory alleviation to contest here … Flashpoint was an considerable leader of a 7f Hutcheson Stakes progressing this year, as good as will be a gait factor, though doesn’t appear able of carrying them a full 1 3/16 … Norman Asborjson is a internal horse, as good as Maryland trainees mostly moment a bottom partial of a exotics. Based upon his last dual New Tork races, he’s during slightest playable…The same cannot be pronounced of King Congie (poor mud form), Isn’t He Perfect (overmatched), as good as Concealed Identity (huge step up in class). Any of those 3 attack a house would warn me, though would positively extract up a payouts … Astrology is an appealing contender. The Steve Asmussen trainee got starting late this year due to damage problems, though has accomplished second in both his 2011 starts. Draws a rail, as good as if can have an easy lead, could be a vital cause … The many earnest newbie is Mr. Commons. The lightly-raced colt has been precision marvelously – so marvelously which he caused John Sheriffs, who lerned no reduction a luminary than Zenyatta, to exclaim, “I don’t consider I’ve ever seen a equine come out of a work as good as he did.” Eligible for a large improvement, we consider he’s a dangerous longshot.
The Derby Boys: In labeling Animal Kingdom a tip contender in this mark dual weeks ago, we pronounced which he would “offer illusory worth during a betting window.” That he did. The same can’t be pronounced for a Preakness, where he’ll expected be 3-1 or less. Still a tip contender no doubt, though though many worth … Shackleford total to run a identical competition to his Derby, which equates to he’ll have a pace. Without many speed to say him, he hold upon for 4th in Louisville. A lot some-more speed here substantially equates to a blur pursuit … Midnight Interlude accomplished a unsatisfactory 16th in a Derby, though is behind for more. Trainer Bob Baffert says a competition took zero out of him; maybe a Santa Anita Derby leader only indispensable a Derby prep … Mucho Macho Man rallied for third during Churchill Downs, as good as has each demeanour of a equine peaking during a right time. With a some-more critical gait to run at, he is critical hazard to wear a black-eyed susans … Beaten Derby a one preferred Dialed In should additionally good from a some-more honest pace. Jockey Julian Leperoux waited perpetually to have his pierce in a Derby, as good as in truth ran a blstering last half-mile – though still accomplished 8th. Every probable cause points to a colt stability to improve, as good as confronting a many some-more fitting gait scenario.
And The Winner Is: Dialed In. He had a lot starting opposite him dual weeks ago, though many of which can be chalked up to lessons. Both he as good as Animal Kingdom figure to be drifting down a Pimlico stretch, as good as yes or no gets a initial burst will expected win a race. Leperoux won’t be so studious this time. Dialed In gets a win, with Animal Kingdom, Mucho Macho Man, as good as Mr. Commons stuffing out a superfecta.
