A Dozen Challengers Will Try to Upset Big Brown

Posted on Thursday, May 15th, 2008

By GREG MELIKOV

Big Brown was installed as the heavy odds-on early favorite in the Preakness 133 that attracted a surprising number of challengers — 12.

The last 13-horse Preakness field came during the past decade and both winners of the Kentucky Derby prevailed: War Emblem in ’02 and Charismatic in ’99.

Ironically, they posted slower speed figures than in Louisville. Four other Kentucky Derby winners stepped up in Baltimore and their speed figures climbed.

Big Brown, 1-2, will break from post 7, which has produced five winners in the past 19 years. He’s 13 slots closer toward the rail than he was in the Kentucky Derby. The son of Boundary and Gayego are the only two from this year’s Run for the Roses.

It’s the sixth time since Kentucky Derby horses began running in the Preakness 90 years ago that two starters at Churchill Downs raced at Pimlico. The last year was ’80 when Codex beat the Derby-winning filly Genuine Risk by 4 3/4 lengths.

Naturally, undefeated Big Brown holds the upper hand off his impressive Derby triumph. He has taken it easy, jogging over an off track at Churchill Downs several times because of wet weather.

“He’s good,” trainer Rick Dutrow said. “He came out of the race good and he’s been training good.”

Gayego, 8-1, unfortunately will break from post 12. The son of Gilded Time finished 17th in the Kentucky Derby, but horse trainer Paulo Lobo pointed out he didn’t overexert himself after a sluggish start from the 19th post. He was steadied in traffic during the first quarter-mile and a bit rank behind Big Brown while very wide on the first turn.

“He came back very well,” Lobo said. “He’s been eating everything. He’s feeling happy. He’s an extremely good shipper.” Gayego traveled from California to Oaklawn Park where he won the Arkansas Derby on April 12 with a Beyer speed figure of 103. Blinkers should help him concentrate.

With undefeated Big Brown in a class by himself, averaging 107 Beyers in three victories this year, the dozen challengers will be going for runner-up honors.

First, the pretenders have several things in common, but all are in trouble – they’re too slow.

Stevil, 30-1, post 9: Finished fourth in the Blue Grass, has no stakes victories and is slowest of the bunch.

Yankee Bravo, 15-1, No. 4: Won California Derby, ran fourth in Santa Anita Derby and finished third in Louisiana Derby, but comes off a six-week layoff and his career best Beyer speed figure is 89.

Giant Moon, 30-1, No. 11: Has a stakes win back in January and ran fourth in Wood, but also is coming off six weeks rest. His highest Beyer is 93.

Kentucky Bear, 15-1, No. 8: Third in the Blue Grass, he lacks a stakes triumph this year, hasn’t raced in five weeks and also has a Beyer of 93.

Riley Tucker, 30-1, No. 10: Ran third in the Lexington, his fourth start this year, but lacks a stakes victory during career despite a 96 Beyer.

Online Horse Betting

Three have a shot at hitting the board depending on how the race plays:

Racecar Rhapsody, 30-1, No. 6: He needs a fast pace. Although fourth in his last four starts, the sophomore has a late kick and made up a dozen lengths in the final quarter-mile of the Lexington. Never has run a bad race and the odds look enticing.

Icabad Crane, 30-1, No. 3: Broke maiden in his only ’07 start and scored in 3-year-old debut. After finishing third in Rushaway at Turfway Park, he captured Pimlico’s Federico Tesio at 1 1/8 miles on April 19. Colt possesses tactical speed and is close enough turning for home to hit the board. Like the odds.

Macho Again, 20-1, No. 1: Coming off April 26 Derby Trial triumph with a 99 Beyer in his fourth start of the year, this tough horse comes home fast and doesn’t back down when eyeballing rivals. However, he hasn’t won beyond 7 1/2 furlongs.

These contenders have the best chance of hitting the board despite obvious drawbacks.

Hey Byrn, 20-1, post 13: Colt won an allowance contest in February at Gulfstream Park with a 97 Beyer in the first of three triumphs in four starts this year, including the Holy Bull on April 12 at 1 3/16 miles. He and Big Brown are the only two winners beyond 1 1/8 miles.

Gayego, 8-1, post 12: Can hit the board if he stays out of trouble and manages a clean trip. Adding blinkers should keep him focused.

Behindatthebar, 10-1, post 5: Coming off two consecutive victories, the son of Forest Wildcat bypassed the Derby for this race after posting a 99 Beyer winning the Lexington. Mostly running on synthetic services, he needs to improve off his fifth place finish on the dirt in the El Camino Real Derby at Bay Meadows, but has worked well at Belmont Park.

"A Dozen Challengers Will Try to Upset Big Brown" was posted on Thursday, May 15th, 2008 at 11:56 pm and is filed under Horse Racing Industry, Horses, Preakness Stakes, Stakes Races, Triple Crown, USA Horse Racing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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