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136th Preakness Stakes up next: May 21st

Racing
#1

With the 137th Kentucky Derby in the books its now time to move the band up north to Maryland and ‘old hilltop’.

Official website for the Preakness

Unlike 2010 there is no ‘Getting your preak on’ which was ambitious and stupid.

In 2011 they’ll try motivating the in-crowd masses with (video) Kegasus - no, really, you cannot make this stuff up. Even if you’re intoxicated.

Opinion when it was announced

Only hours old, the campaign was already garnering criticism Tuesday for being tasteless and encouraging binge drinking. Jason Loviglio, director of media and communications studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, declared it “awful,” “depressing” and “sad,” but also predicted it would be quite effective.

“If the goal is to let them know they will be able to drink to excess, it does communicate that,” he said. “If there’s confusion about whether they’ll be able to pursue sunstroke and alcohol poisoning, seeing this, it’s clear indication that yes, they will.”

#2

A mix of the possibles and probables with only 14-horses able to start:

  1. Animal Kingdom [Derby 1st]
  2. Dialed In [Derby 8th]
  3. Mucho Macho Man [Derby 3rd]
  4. Santiva [Derby 6th]
  5. Shackleford [Derby 4th]

Non Derby runners who are likely:

  1. Astrology
  2. Concealed Identity
  3. Dance City
  4. Flashpoint
  5. King Congie
  6. Norman Asbjornson
  7. Prime Cut
  8. Sway Away
  9. Mr. Commons.
#3

I’ll have my fake money on Dance City and Dialed In. Any chance of Mo running?

#4

[QUOTE=leilatigress;5596754]
Any chance of Mo running?[/QUOTE]

None. Pletcher said “later this summer” he’ll likely return.

No chance for Pants on Fire either who is now recovering and trainer Kelly Breen is pointing him to the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational.

#5

Also worth tossing into the mix: Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty.

Her times have been very good - in particular at Sun Land - where she put the boys to shame. This year’s Derby was sloooow so it does, as always, set up nicely for a Baffert sprinter-inclined runner to do well at Pimlico:

2001 Kentucky Derby fractions
¼ Mile: 23.74
½ Mile: 48.63
¾ Mile:: 1:13.40
Mile: 1:37.49
Finish: 2:02.04

How slow was it compared to recent runs of the Derby?

Below are the ranks of each early split in the 2011 Derby compared to every Derby since 1980 (32 races):

¼ Mile: 31st of 32 (slowest: 1980 - 24.00)
½ Mile: 32nd of 32
¾ Mile: 32nd of 32

#6

You’re being somewhat disingenuous here Glimmer. You conveniently left out the final two ¼ mile splits. AK’s final 1/4 of about 24sec is close to the fastest last 1/4 ever run in the Derby. The overall time is right about average for the Derby. Of the last 32 runnings that you referenced, only 9 were essentially faster.
It may have been slower earlier than most, but it was not a slow Derby.

#7

I’ll have to put some money on Norman Asbjornson as I know his exercise rider at Bowie, and his dam was bred by CLF, who stood Trav’s sire Allen’s Prospect.

Sure would like to see Animal Kingdom get the TC though, as racing could use an infusion of new blood.

#8

Initial talk was that Derby runner Master of Hounds (5th) was being shipped back to Ireland and just maybe back to the States for Breeders’ Cup. Now there is consideration for him to enter into the Belmont Stakes.

Will 2011 be the last time the Preakness is held on Saturday?

Magna is considering running the 2012 edition on Sunday after the success with Gulfstream Park and holding the Florida Derby on a Sunday this year.

With the change, the attendance for the Florida Derby was the biggest since Gulfstream’s new grandstand opened in 2006.

Rogers said the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) might reap similar benefits with a switch from Friday to Saturday at Pimlico.

“We were trying to create a big weekend [at Gulfstream], rather than just one big day,” Rogers said. “It worked out well. It’s worth talking about for the Preakness, and we’ll see what everyone says.”

Rogers noted that Woodbine’s Queen’s Plate Stakes traditionally falls on a Sunday, along with many of France’s top races, including the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1).

Never held on Sunday before, the Preakness “has been run on Saturday every year since 1930. Before that, it fell on Monday three times and on Friday three times over a six-year period from 1924-1929.”

Steeplechase Times, who was following Toby’s Corner closely at Fair Hills until he dropped out, now is doing the same for like-based Animal Kingdom in his preparations before the Preakness

The Go Toby Go banners are down, but the state Department of Natural Resources is getting in on the act with a message for Animal Kingdom on the sign outside the entrance. Last week, the words read Good Luck. Now they say Welcome Home. Cool.

The local deli wants to create an Animal Kingdom sandwich (Keith Cooper’s suggestion) and we’re working on it. Feel free to send suggestions.

#9

Potential for oversubscribed entries:

Pimlico reported Monday that Harlan’s Hello and Isn’t He Perfect, two would-be longshots trained by Doodnauth Shivmangal in New York, are being considered for the race.

In case the Preakness overfills, the criteria determining eligibility is as follows: first seven starters, graded earnings; next four starters, non-restricted stakes earnings; last three starters, total earnings.

Entries for the 1 3/16-mile race will be drawn May 18 under the traditional pill-pull method.

Isn’t He Perfect: 12 2-0-1 $90k lifetime

Harlan’s Hello, is actually slated for an allowance 5-13-11 at Belmont otherwise he is 7 1-1-1 $43k career and that’s all been in 2011.

#10

Originally posted in the Kentucky Derby thread way back in Feb but pertaining to Pimlico:

Black Eyed Susan Day (Friday) in connection with the Susan G. Koman Foundation. (Churchill Downs by the way donated $1 per attendee on Oaks day to the SGK Foundation)

LadyLegends For the Cure Race II™ to be aired live on Verses network.

The 2011 field features the seven other initial participants plus Abby Fuller.

  • Andrea Seefeldt-Knight (second in '10)—one of only two women to have ridden in both the Preakness Stakes (Looming-1994) and Kentucky Derby (Forty Something-1991). Became the first female rider to win the Pennsylvania Derby aboard Valley Crossing, which paid $158.60.

  • Mary Russ-Tortora (third in '10)—the first female rider to win a Grade I race when she captured the Widener Handicap at Hialeah on Feb. 27, 1982 aboard Lord Darnley.

  • Mary Wiley-Wagner (fourth in '10)—breast cancer survivor, who briefly returned as an active rider after the 2010 race only to retire again for this event.

  • Patti “PJ” Cooksey (fifth in '10)—breast cancer survivor was the first female to ride in the Preakness (Tajawa-1985) and ranks third all-time among female riders with 2,137 wins. Also had a mount in the Kentucky Derby (So Vague-1984).

  • Barbara Jo Rubin (sixth in '10)—made history as the first woman to win a pari-mutuel race in the United States when she guided Cohesion to victory at Charles Town on Feb. 22, 1969.

  • Jennifer Rowland-Small (seventh in '10)—a pioneering jockey in Maryland in the 1970’s, winning 192 races.

  • Cheryl White (eighth in '10)—the first African-American female rider, won five races at the Fresno Fair on Oct. 19, 1983.

  • Abby Fuller (new shooter)—captured the NYRA’s Filly Triple Crown in 1985 aboard Mom’s Command, a filly owned and bred by her father. Won a career-best 145 races that year.

The 2011 race will include $20,000 in bonus prizes. In addition to her earnings in the race, the winner will receive another $6,000. Other prize money: $4,000 (second), $3,000 (third), $2,500 (fourth), $1,500 (fifth) and $1,000 (sixth through eighth). Pimlico will match the amount wagered on the 2011 winner and make a contribution to Komen Maryland.

In addition to the reprise of the LadyLegends group there will be a female jockey challenge with points for final position over 4 designated races.

Female Jockey Challenge - will have six participants:

Vicky Baze
Forest Boyce
Rosie Napravnik
Chantal Sutherland
UK’s Hayley Turner
and Emma-Jayne Wilson

I think this will be the first time Hayley has ridden in the US.

Initially I suggested Emma-Jayne had not rode in the US which is incorrect as she just rode at Keeneland on closing day aboard Rahy’s Attorney.

Considering Rosie said she hates to lose most of all to a female jockey you know she’ll be roaring to the finish.

#11

On the tube, like the Derby it will be a mix of Verses and NBC Sports.

HRTV by virtue of being owned in part by Magna will air the undercards too and TVG will get locked out just like the Derby.

Eastern Standard Times

Fri. May 20, Preakness Classics, 3-4 p.m., VERSUS
Fri. May 20, Black Eyed Susan Stakes, 4-5 p.m., VERSUS
Sat. May 21, Live from Pimlico, 2:30-4:30 p.m., VERSUS
Sat. May 21, Preakness Stakes, 4:30-6:30 p.m., NBC
Sat. May 21, Preakness Wrap-up, 6:30-7 p.m., VERSUS

In case anyone is wondering, Animal Kingdom, by having won the Derby should get stall #40 at Pimlico

#12

Reports today indicate that Arnold Zetcher’s Midnight Interlude (16th in the Kentucky Derby) and trained by Bob Baffert is going to go to the Preakness. Go figure.

That means most likely no bueno for trainer Doodnauth Shivmangal getting in his loooong shot runners fron New York.

#13

The likely-entry of Midnight Interlude, aside, the DRF’s Mike Watchmaker has provided some preliminary odds. There has been some debate if by the time the field goes off if Animal Kingdom will still be the wagering favorite.

Horse. - Trainer == Last Start == Watchmaker’s Odds
Animal Kingdom. - Graham Motion == 1st, Kentucky Derby == 2-1
Astrology. - Steve Asmussen == 2nd, Jerome == 15-1
Concealed Identity. -Dean Gaudet == 1st, Tesio == 20-1
Dance City. - Todd Pletcher == 3rd, Arkansas Derby == 12-1
Dialed In. - Nick Zito == 8th, Kentucky Derby == 5-1
Flashpoint. - Wesley Ward == 4th, Florida Derby == 15-1
King Congie.- Tom Albertrani == 3rd, Blue Grass == 20-1
Mr. Commons. - John Shirreffs == 3rd, Santa Anita Derby == 15-1
Mucho Macho Man. - Kathy Ritvo == 3rd, Kentucky Derby == 6-1
Norman Asbjornson. - Chris Grove == 4th, Wood Memorial == 30-1
Ruler On Ice. - Kelly Breen == 2nd, Tesio == 30-1
Santiva. - Eddie Kenneally == 6th, Kentucky Derby == 15-1
Shackleford. - Dale Romans == 4th, Kentucky Derby == 12-1
Sway Away. - Jeff Bonde == 4th, Arkansas Derby == 15-1

#14

Midnight Interlude

IIRC, he is also eligible for the $5 million for winning the Preakness having won the SA Derby. That seems a good bet as to why he would be entered. It is a shame, he was overwhelmed in the KD, and probably needs to come along more slowly instead of being thrown into the two biggest races for his age too soon.

#15

[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;5596708]
In 2011 they’ll try motivating the in-crowd masses with (video) Kegasus[/QUOTE]

And evidently the half-man, half-beast is whipping up a frenzy for the return of the intoxicated infield: “Preakness sends a mixed message, but gets the right result”

This year, race organizers have embarked on a delicate strategy to appeal to the race’s rowdy and refined fans alike — and it seems to have paid off, with organizers expecting the biggest crowd since 2007.

As of Tuesday, overall ticket sales are up 17 percent from last year’s total, and anywhere from 105,000 to 110,000 are expected to attend, Maryland Jockey Club President Tom Chuckas said. It would mark an increase from the 95,000 that attended last year, and a vast improvement over 2009’s record low of 77,850.

In response to questions that Kegasus promotes drinking, he said, “If all I wanted to do was promote drinking, I wouldn’t have spent the funds I spent to provide the entertainment out there.”

He said Kegasus was a component of a larger strategy that also included an appeal to older fans of Preakness.

I’m reminded of the movie PCU and a much younger Jeremy Piven “the masses are begging” :smiley:

#16

[QUOTE=Larksmom;5600004]
IIRC, he is also eligible for the $5 million for winning the Preakness having won the SA Derby. That seems a good bet as to why he would be entered. It is a shame, he was overwhelmed in the KD, and probably needs to come along more slowly instead of being thrown into the two biggest races for his age too soon.[/QUOTE]

I love when horses go on from the Derby. We did it with Tabasco Cat and he ended up winning the last two legs. Dialed In has been lightly raced and the Classic races are what he is bred to do! Plenty of horses run badly in the Derby, he deserves a second chance.

#17

[QUOTE=Larksmom;5600004]
[Midnight Interlude] is also eligible for the $5 million for winning the Preakness having won the SA Derby.[/QUOTE]

Actually he isn’t :wink: To have qualified for the 5.5:

At Santa Anita Park in Southern California, a horse will be eligible if he wins either the Grade 2 Robert E. Lewis or the Grade 2 San Felipe and then the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby

Midnight Interlude won the SA Derby but prior to that only raced in maiden special weight races. He skipped the Robert E. Lewis and San Felipe Stakes.

#18

At one time, didn’t the Preakness ban bringing coolers to the infield? Is that still the case?

I don’t want to think of what an Animal Kingdom sandwich could be…pork, beef & chicken with elk? Yuck. Hope its vegan.

Hope to see Nehro at the Belmont. He will make it interesting in NY.

#19

Thanks for the correction

I forgot about there having to be TWO wins iin the preps. I should have realized when they kept saying that Dialed in was the only one who could win the $5 million…

#20

Robby Albarado to ride King Congie in Preakness

Terry Finley, the president of the West Point Thoroughbreds syndicate that owns King Congie, noted that Albarado rode his stable’s first Grade 1 winner - Flashy Bull in the 2007 Stephen Foster. Albarado also won the 2009 Stephen Foster for West Point aboard Macho Again.

“Given what happened to him in the Derby, I would have to think he’ll be more focused and dialed in, plus he’s won a Preakness, and we want to take advantage of that,” said Finley, noting that Albarado was aboard 2007 Preakness winner Curlin. “I think he’s a top-class rider who is going to be in the Hall of Fame some day.”

King Congie, like Animal Kingdom before the Derby, has never won on dirt. Both of his career victories have come on turf.

People may recall that King Congie is so-named for a late partner in the West Point group: Video: TVG Feature on Congie DeVito. (Congie died Feb 2011 at the age of 35 having lived his entire life with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, commonly called brittle bone disease.)

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