Baltimore has had way more rain this week than Churchill had. The base of the track is usually about 12 inches deep, with the top of the base being “cushion.” The sub base is something like 25 feet deep. I don’t know the exact specifics for each track. Pimlico has been closed for training for them to work on the track multiple times this spring. Usually it’s just for one or two mornings, but they have been working on it. When you get torrential downpours or simply lots of rain, the water does pool and run off, taking some of the footing with hit. It’s a constant effort to keep everything as good as possible.
I remember reading that Spectacular Bid ran the full Belmont without switching leads. Poor Bid. Of all the TC misses, I think he is the one who most deserved to be a TC winner. Great horse.
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It’s pretty common to have a horse train very lightly going into a race. They don’t train them as hard as they did in the past. These horses are fit fit fit and do not need to go pounding around in the mud. Lukas’ horses jogged earlier this week, they did not simply walk. Many trainers will simply jog horses between races and gallop very little. The long van ride (or plane?) also takes a bit out of them, so having a few easy days lets them recharge their batteries. Lukas won a few races, I would never second guess him. All these horses have been racing this spring, there really should not be a need for any conditioning at this point. You are just keeping them happy and crossing the days off the calendar.
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/227563/lukas-horses-take-it-easy-in-pimlico-slop
Lukas only hand walked his horses yesterday because of the slop. I am not saying he needs to go out and gallop them but a jog around the outside of the track would certainly help, I think. The only reason he is hand walking is because he is afraid of the mud. If the track Is scheduled to be just as bad on race-day I would at least like my horse to jog regularly over the surface; keep the legs stretched and their mind quiet and let them get a feel for it. Otherwise; just scratch them.
Obviously to each their own. I am most impressed by Good Magic. Does that horse ever have a bad day??? Galloping yesterday in the downpour on ankle deep water and he’s just going along with his ears pricked. Could care less about the new environment and despite running one tough race at Churchill 1.5 weeks ago.
If justify does not break cleanly and cannot get to the lead to control the pace; I think he could get owned on Saturday. Me thinks Justify will not like mud being slung in his face if he, for some strange reason, doesn’t get out of the gate well
My favorite of all time, Spectacular Bid.
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Black Eyed Susan coverage just started on NBC Sports Network. That track is SLOPPY for sure! It will be interesting to see how this afternoon’s races go.
The promo for the Sunday Silence/Easy Goer special looked really good! I’ll be dead asleep by the time it airs, but I’ve set my DVR so I can watch it tomorrow.
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I guess I was the only one here watching (perks of a job that gives you summers sort of “off”!), but the Black Eyed Susan was a good race. Red Ruby was impressive, despite her post parade antics. It seems like the universal strategy of the jockeys all day was “stay off the rail”, so Justify’s outside post for tomorrow could be an advantage if that holds.
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I watched the Black Eyed Susan and agree that it was a good race. However, I was really surprised at the size of the purse (250K) for what I always thought was a major 3-year-old race for the fillies. Compared to the million or so for the colts, this is just chump change. How disappointing that they evidently don’t seem to have much (monetary) respect for the girls!
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The Black Eyed Susan is only a GII race (not GI). It isn’t as major a race to the fillies as the Preakness is to the colts.
The Oaks winner didn’t even run in the BES.
I agree, good race. Red Ruby really picked them up and put them down in the stretch.
Coach Rocks did a nice job on the front but just couldn’t hold on to the lead over Red Ruby.
Just want to say thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge here, and for being kind in answering what must sound like very basic questions.
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I was at Pimlico yesterday. Yeah, the rail was dead.
keysfins, we all had to start by asking basic questions and no question is too stupid to ask
One of the things I like about this forum is the wealth of information and experience there is!
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Can I PUHHLEEEEEEZ get a link to todays entire Pimlico card ??
The track website is NOT cooperating !!
TIA ~~~
Equibase has the card for every track every day.
I wonder if twinspires fixed their problems from derby day.
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THANK YOU !!!
Happy (soggy) Preakness Day, everyone!
Wow. Mitole smoked the field in the Chick Lang, and the jockey never even pushed him. He was flying! Anyone know anything about this horse?
No, only know it was a 6 Furlong Sprint with the first 1/4 mile in a smoking hot 21 and change, Holy crap, thats a fast horse on a fast track regardless of sloppy top layer. Kudos to the track maintainance guys, that base is firm and fast.
Not going to put real real money on it but I’ll do a hypothetical $10 “boxed” trifecta 5, 7, 8. Think thats $60, those 3 in all possible combinations on top. May they all come back safe.
Dont know about the other Winstar, China Horse Club entry, Quip. Could be some strategy there. Or not in an 8 horse field.
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This year I keep hearing the commentators talk about the black-eyed Susans the winner will wear.
In past years I heard the commentators say that they weren’t really black-eyed Susans but painted daisies because black-eyed Susans aren’t in bloom this time of year.
Have they changed the way they grow black-eyed Susans? Are they now cultivated in greenhouses out of season?
