Preakness Week Revisited

I had a great time covering Preakness week for Horse Racing Nation. The second jewel festivities kicked off with Sunrise At Old Hilltop on Thursday and we were all over the action.

After arriving at Pimlico Race Course at the crack of dawn, we walked over to the track to catch a glimpse of some morning activity. As luck would have it, First Dude was out for a jog, and I mentioned that he was full of energy and an interesting longshot in my Sunrise At Old Hilltop post. Sure enough, he carved out the Preakness pace and almost stole the race.

Congrats to trainer Dale Romans for saddling Derby show finisher Paddy O’Prado and Preakness runner-up First Dude. We caught a glimpse of Paddy in the Stakes Barn and he ended up 6th on Saturday. I have a feeling he will return to grass racing, and if he goes that route look for him to show up in races like the Colonial Turf Cup (June 19) and the Virginia Derby (July 17). As for First Dude, his connections are thinking Belmont Stakes and his speed could be dangerous in that event.

One of the Thursday morning highlights was getting to see the Budweiser Clydesdales (photo below) up close and personal. Our backstretch tour guide set up an interview with the lead handler and it was a very informative discussion. You can purchase your very own Clydesdale for a mere fifteen to twenty thousand…a drop in the bucket, lol.

We also enjoyed a stroll through Jockeys Room and the Pimlico Race Course History Museum (photos below). I learned that George Washington used to attend the races in Annapolis and a letter he wrote to the Maryland Jockey club was on display…fascinating!

We attended the races on Black-Eyed Susan day. After meeting up with Eclipse Sportswire photographer Scott Serio we proceeded to the paddock. Stacy pulled out her trusty camera and clicked away, capturing numerous Stakes horses along with colorful characters Dallas Stewart and D Wayne Lukas.

The Black-Eyed Susan itself was a real adventure. I jumped all over the special Susan-Preakness Daily Double. I covered Fair Grounds this winter and loved the chances of Seeking The Title in the Friday feature. I thought she would be closer to the pace but Kent Desormeaux appeared happy with a patient ground saving journey. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time because Diva Delite (Julien Leparoux) clipped heels right in front of her and Kent D could not avoid the fallen foe and went flying through the air. All horses and riders avoided serious injury and Leparoux returned to with the Grade 3 Gallorette on Saturday aboard Rainbow View.

The weather had been unsettled all week and it poured right after the races ended on Friday. No worries on Saturday as we were treated to sunny and breezy conditions with temps in the 70s.

A couple of horses that I was fond of during my stint at Louisiana Downs found much success on Saturday. Comedero cruised to another sharp sprint win in the Grade 3 Chick Lang Stakes and Blame returned with a stylish victory in the Grade 3 William Donald Schaefer. Comedero might go next in the Woody Stephens on the Belmont Stakes undercard and Blame is slated for a tilt in the June 12 Stephen Foster (G1) at Churchill Downs.

Since I was born and raised in Baltimore the Preakness Stakes has always held a special place in my heart. I had my first Preakness experience in 1980 as a young boy. My mom bet a deuce on Genuine Risk for me and I remember yelling at that bully Angel Cordero Jr. and Codex for intimidating my pick. One of the first races I witnessed was the 1980 Derby and I was hooked at this point.

A couple of years into my fledgling hobby and I struck Preakness gold with new shooter Aloma’s Ruler. I went back to the new shooter angle in 1983 with Deputed Testamony.

As I started to learn more about the racing game I began playing my Derby horses back in the Preakness and struck gold with Tank’s Prospect (1985), Snow Chief (1986), Risen Star (1988), Hansel (1991), Pine Bluff (1992), Timber Country (1995), and Point Given (2001). I also tabbed new shooter Red Bullet in 2000.

I somehow managed to hit the 1996 Derby superfecta and winner Grindstone retired after his victory. I mention this because my Preakness pick in ’96 was Skip Away, and I was sad to learn of his death from a heart attack last week.

Lookin At Lucky was my Derby pick this year and he experienced a rough journey from the rail under Garrett Gomez. Bob Baffert was seeking better karma and gave Martin Garcia a leg up in the Preakness. Based on my past Pimlico strategies the 2010 Preakness was a slam dunk in my book. Sure enough, ‘Lucky got a clean trip and was draped with the Black-Eyed Susans. Baffert secured his 5th win in the second jewel and ‘Lucky will get a breather before targeting the Aug 1 Haskell (G1).

Derby winner Super Saver did not sufficiently recover from his sharp win two weeks earlier and faded to 8th. While his Derby effort may not have appeared taxing all horses are different and the Pletcher trainee looked tired. He is probably not as good as his Derby win made him look but he is much better than he showed on Saturday.

The rhetoric about changing the Triple Crown series has begun in earnest. I respect everyone’s opinion which brings me to today’s Blog of the Day. I do not agree with the blogger but it is an interesting read nonetheless. Equine Project – Time to Tweak the Triple Crown.

When the going gets tough people tend to make things easier to achieve their goals. I have always enjoyed a challenge and think the Triple Crown series should be left alone. No field restrictions, shorter distances, and more time between races. The right horse will come along at some point and we will marvel at his/her Triple Crown sweep.

That wraps up my Preakness week coverage. I look forward to covering other big horse racing events on-site for Horse Racing Nation in the future…I love this game!