Horse Racing News is the source of thoroughbred racing information with horse racing odds, betting tips, racing picks, race results, and handicapping. Latest news and articles on top horse racing contenders, jockeys, trainers, three-year-olds, race tracks, and major stakes races such as the Triple Crown races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes as well as the Breeders' Cup horse races.The Preakness Stakes 2009: I Call ‘em the Way I See ‘em
Posted on Friday, May 15th, 2009
By GREG MELIKOV
The 134th Preakness Stakes 2009 features 13 Preakness horses going 1 3/16 miles on Saturday. I’m classifying them in several categories from those 3-year-olds that stand little chance to those horses that wouldn’t surprise.
The Don’t Belongs
Flying Private: Should change his name to Walking Buckless Private. He’s one for 11, and that was at 6 furlongs way back in August. He’s coming off a last place finish in the Kentucky Derby beaten 43 3/4 lengths. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas has no chance of saddling his sixth winner in 33 Preakness starts at 50-1.
Luv Gov: I don’t. A bad omen — he’s named for former New York Gov. Elliot Spitzer who resigned in disgrace. He has no business in the Preakness field after just breaking his maiden on Kentucky Derby Day. Be battling for last. Lukas stands no chance of saddling his sixth Preakness winner in 34 starts at 50-1.
Tone It Down: Is 2-2-0 at a Maryland track, but it’s Laurel Park. But victories in optional claiming and maiden special weight contests don’t merit trying the big boys and girl. The 50-1 shot drew post 12 and could finish there.
The Preakness Pretenders
Big Drama: His record is impressive — 6 for 7. But he only ran once this year, losing by DQ to sprinter This Ones for Phil at 7 furlongs. This speed horse breaks from post 1 and must go to the lead. Surprisingly he’s 10-1 on the morning line. Better chance in one of 2 stakes at 6 furlongs on the Preakness Day. Only three of the past 36 races were wire-to-wire jobs.
Take the Points: Better get 4 TDs because he disappointed in both Kentucky Derby preps, then skipped the Run for the Roses. Trainer Todd Pletcher is stretching it a bit off allowance and maiden-breaking scores. The 30-1 shot breaks from post 11.
Terrain: Both victories came as a 2-year-old. Chased three running on Saturday. Maybe worth a play at 30-1 since he drew post 6 that has produced the most wins — 15. Hunch bettors, you make the call.
The Preakness Contenders
Friesan Fire: Not sure if he has fully recovered from one of the dozen bad trips at Churchill Downs during which he suffered cuts on his legs. One of two third choices at 6-1 that drew post 5 tries to become the first beaten Kentucky Derby favorite to take the Preakness since Point Given in ’01.
General Quarters: The 20-1 odds are very enticing. His racing pattern the past 4 outings point to a big race: win, off the board, win, off the board. Must use in exotics. Might be worth a win wager.
Mine That Bird: Kentucky Derby winner drew post 2 and is 6-1. If Pimlico comes up sloppy, his chances increase. I’m not sure he’s as good as that last performance. Losing jockey Calvin Borel to Rachel Alexander is a negative. Jockey Mike Smith is good, but don’t expect the rail to open up again.
Musket Man: The dark horse at 8-1. Another victim of a troubled Kentucky Derby trip? Can he outrun his pedigree again? Might be worth using underneath in exotics. I may be sorry, but you can’t bet ‘em all.
My Preakness Picks
Pioneerof the Nile: The early 5-1 third choice answered one question in his dirt debut by finishing second in the Kentucky Derby. He did well breaking from post 16 during a troubled trip. However, he caused most of the trouble. Post 5 is a better draw. Odds should drop a bit. Don’t leave him out of the exotics.
Rachel Alexandra: Which came first the odds or the post-position draw? The morning line: 8-5. Won’t be that low at race time. The post: unlucky 13. No horse ever triumphed from there. Will it make a difference? Could be since the pace should be contested. Don’t leave her out of the exotics.
Papa Clem: The son of Smart Strike, who sired ’07 winner Curlin, endured the worst of it in the Kentucky Derby from the break:Â brushed and bumped, then under steady restraint chomping at bit, and bumped in the stretch when Pioneerof the Nile drifted out. He only lost second by a nose and a head. Five Preakness winners the past two decades breaking from post 7 won — Smarty Jones was the last in ’04. Worth a win wager at 12-1, but should be lower. I’ll also include in all the exotics.
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Tags: Big Drama, Flying Private, Friesan Fire, General Quarters, Luv Gov, Mine That Bird, Musket Man, Papa Clem, Pioneerof the Nile, Rachel Alexandra, Take the Points, Terrain, Tone It Down
"The Preakness Stakes 2009: I Call ‘em the Way I See ‘em" was posted on Friday, May 15th, 2009 at 10:20 am and is filed under Horse Racing Industry, Horses, Pimlico Track, 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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Saturday, May 16th, 2009 5:02 pm By mark
This Albuquerque Architect is rooting hard for hometown New Mexico boys and Mind That Bird – come on little man!