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Astrology could be a live long shot for the Preakness Stakes

May 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Stonestreet Thoroughbred’s colt Astrology is ready to rock and roll for the Preakness Stakes after stretching his legs in a four furlong move which was clocked in :51.60 on Monday.

Regular visitors to this site know that I was high on his chances to make the Kentucky Derby and he was on my Kentucky Derby Contenders page for much of the winter before it became apparent that he wouldn’t make the race.

Astrology made his 2011 debut in the Sunland Derby where he was fairly close to a torrid pace and ended second behind Twice The Appeal. Not a bad effort considering he had been off so long and was tackling the distance of 9 furlongs for the first time.

After the Sunland Derby trainer Steve Asmussen sent the colt to Aqueduct for his next start in the Jerome Handicap where he looked done at the top of the stretch, but still finished second. The winner, Adios Charlie, is a very serious racehorse that came back to run a desperately close second in the Peter Pan Stakes. To me, it showed heart for Astrology to keep coming in the Jerome after it looked like he was defeated. He did it over a wet track too which is something he might encounter in the Preakness.

I love Astrology’s breeding. He is a son of A.P out of the Quiet American mare Quiet Eclipse. Recognize that cross? You should. It is the same one that 2006 Preakness Stakes and Travers Stakes winner Bernardini is bred on.

Not that looks mean much, but Astrology is one of the best looking colts of this crop that I can remember seeing. He is a strong colt and a good mover. He’s got heart as we saw Jerome and he showed last year he is plenty good enough to run with the big boys by finishing second in the Kentucky Jockey Club and winning the Iroquois Stakes.

Making his third start of the year in the Preakness means Astrology is ready to run the race of his life. He will need to do s0 to win. We know he can get the distance and we know he is classy enough. The connections are top notch and all systems are go. Look for Astrology to give them hell in the Preakness.

Click the “Buy Now” button the side of this page to get our official picks for the race.

 

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Animal Kingdom and Mucho Macho Man prepare for Preakness as Nehro waits for Belmont

May 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

All indications are that Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom is ready to run a monster race in the Preakness this weekend. Check out what owner Barry Irwin had to say on Facebook yesterday.

Animal Kingdom galloped on a wet dirt track this morning and relished the going. We keep throwing curves at this guy and just keeps knocking the ball out of the park. He may not even be human!

The son of Leroidesanimaux has not and will not work before the Preakness. This is a good move as he is completely fit after going a mile and a quarter so recently. I’m really excited to find out if he is the real deal in the Preakness.

A colt that did have a work is Mucho Macho Man.I have to admit I was skeptical about Mucho Macho Man, but his last out effort to be third in the Kentucky Derby has really won me over. The big hulking colt has a ton of heart and is only going to get better from here on out. The late foal wont even “really” turn three until next month.

This morning he worked four furlongs in :49 1/5 with splits of 12 2/5 and 24 1/5 while galloping out five furlongs in 1:03 3/5. Reports say he was evenly the whole way and the exercise rider said he wanted to do more. Folks, this colt might be sitting on a huge race for the Preakness on Saturday.

One horse that could be sitting on a big one, but we will never know, is Nehro. The son of Mineshaft is doing exceptionally well by all reports, but his connections are going to wait for the Belmont Stakes. This is a wise move as the Preakness would be his fourth race in eight weeks.

Nehro’s trainer Steve Asmussen once quoted the old saying “You get paid for what you do, but you pay for what you do.” Racing him in the Preakness might be sacrificing his future even if he runs well. Look for him next out in the Belmont Stakes.

One of the best things about this years Kentucky Derby is that the best three horses ran 1-2-3. I love when that happens. Now let’s see what happens at Pimlico.

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Lookin At Lucky victorious in Preakness Stakes

May 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment


Lookin At Lucky lived up to his name for the first time in a long time when he took the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes by 3/4 lengths under steady right hand urging from new jockey Martin Garcia. He dueled for a short while with long shot First Dude before kicking clear. First Dude held second place from a hard charging Jackson Bend. ‘Lucky gave trainer Bob Baffert his fifth Preakness winner. His others were Real Quiet, Silver Charm, Point Given, and War Emblem.

While ‘Lucky was able to redeem himself with a win, things didn’t go so well for Calvin Borel and the Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver. “My horse broke sharp, right where I wanted,” said Borel.  “I let the other horse go, and I was right behind him. We went 23-and-change and 46-and-change. He just wasn’t able to get there today. I will win a lot of other races with this horse. He’s a good one.”

Todd Pletcher made it clear that his colt would not go to Belmont to try the third leg of the Triple Crown. He also noted that the connections got the race they wanted; the Derby. ““I thought as well as First Dude hung in there that we were in a good spot.” said Pletcher. ” He was able to move himself right outside of (First Dude). It looked like the colt was relaxed. He was traveling well down the backside and you could tell that when he went to the far turn, he came up empty.”

As can be expected, Bob Baffert was extremely enthused over the win. Martin Garcia seemed thankful and happy, but he might not understand the magnitude of the win just yet. Garcia was a line cook just 5 years ago and knew nothing of horse racing until he started riding professionally in 2005.  If he hasn’t hit him yet, it will very soon!

“It’s just as exciting.  I know it’s been a few years.  I mean, this was a different kind of win,” said Baffert. ” This was more of a redemption win.  This horse is such a warrior.  He wants to win.  He tries so hard.  So I wanted to win it for the horse, you know, ’cause he tries so hard every time.  I mean, the Derby, he had that rough trip.  Santa Anita Derby, rough trip.  I didn’t want him to get hit.  But, you know, every time he had those rough trips, he came back.  He’s got a great mind.  He’s a cool horse.  He’s just a really great athlete.  I mean, he’s one of the best horses I’ve ever had.  It’s amazing.  He’s still a baby.  He’s so immature.  He’s not even three years old yet.  His birthday is May 27th.”

It’s unfortunate, but neither the Kentucky Derby winner, Super Saver, or the Preakness winner, Lookin At Lucky, will forge ahead to the Belmont Stakes. That race is likely to be headlined by Kentucky Derby second place finisher Ice Box and fellow Nick Zito trainee and Dwyer winner Fly Down.

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Preakness Picks

May 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

***CLICK HERE TO GET OUR 2011 PREAKNESS PICKS***

For those wishing to bet the Preakness online, check out Twin Spires. Signing up through this site will get players a $100 sign up bonus. It is where we will bet betting this weekend!

I’ve just completed my Preakness selections. I’m very excited for the races on not only Saturday, but Friday too. The Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes has plenty of good wagering opportunities. I’m very confident that 8/5 ML favorite Tidal Pool will go down. She has been raced hard lately and this isn’t an easy field. Two weeks rest will be her undoing.

I like a filly that will be a solid price and should pay double digits to win the race. Who is that filly? You will have to buy my picks to find out! You can do so by clicking the “Buy Now” button below. They are just $5.99 and include picks for 7 races along with Daily Double Pick 3, Pick 4, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta bets. Don’t miss out. The races included in this years Preakness Package are listed below.

  • Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
  • Preakness Stakes
  • Lang Stakes
  • Dixie Stakes
  • William Donald Schaefer Stakes
  • Gallorette Handicap
  • Maryland Sprint Handicap

Below is a list of some of the winners I had on this year’s Derby trail.

  • Sidney’s Candy in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes ($6.20)
  • Sidney’s Candy in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes ($9.60)
  • Sidney’s Candy in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby ($9.60)
  • Caracortado in the Grade 2 Robert Lewis Stakes ($11.00)
  • Pleasant Prince in the Grade 1 Florida Derby ($26.40 to PLACE)

I’m supremely confident that I will pick winners in several of the races I have handicapped on Saturday. I also expect them to pay double digit prices to win.  I love my all stakes Pick 4 play and I expect it to pay in excess of $1,000. The ticket is very affordable to play so the risk is low. Click the “Buy Now” button below to play along with me. Doing so will pay dividends on Saturday.

***CLICK HERE TO GET OUR 2011 PREAKNESS PICKS***

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Free Video Selection: Smart Seattle in the Hilltop Stakes

May 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Black-Eyed Susan day is full of great races. One of those races is the $70k Hilltop Stakes. I like Smart Seattle to take the race under Julien Leparoux for Graham Motion. Watch the video to find out why. If you would like picks for all of this weekends stakes action, including the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, and Preakness Stakes, click here!

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Pleasant Prince goes from possible star to fringe contender in the Preakness Stakes

May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment


I remember as if it were yesterday. Rule appeared to be taking command at the top of the stretch in the Florida Derby only to fade to third. After he gave up the lead the first horse to go by was Pleasant Prince. Ice Box was also in hot pursuit  and he lunged forward to take the Grade 1 race by a nose. The next race for Ice Box was the Kentucky Derby where he would finish second.

Pleasant Prince, short of earnings, would race two more times before the Run for the Roses of which he was ultimately kept out. He finished off the board in the Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland and third in the Derby Trial. His connections will now try and annex the second jewel of the Triple Crown; the Preakness Stakes.

Owner Ken Ramsey was dead set on making the Kentucky Derby.  He told the Blood-Horse, “The Derby is a special race. I could win three Dubai World Cups and that might mean more internationally, but not to me. I’m getting kind of long in the tooth and I’ve got Derby fever something bad.”. He also said that his research via the internet proved horses could win the Derby Trial and then the Kentucky Derby. The last one to do so was Tim Tam in 1958. The only thing that Mr. Ramsey forgets is that this is a different era and a different type of thoroughbred. They aren’t built for that type of racing anymore. After failing to make the Derby the Preakness is the next best thing.

The Was Ward trainee has raced six times this year. His best finishes were in the Florida Derby and Derby trial, but neither race should warrant serious consideration for the Preakness Stakes. He is clearly a horse who needs rest. The son of Indy King could grow into a nice older horse, but it appears that his future career will be sacrificed in favor of attempting to win a leg of the Triple Crown no matter how slim the chances.

Pleasant Prince had his final work for the Preakness today. He fired off five furlongs in :59 seconds at Keeneland. That is an encouraging move under jockey Julien Leparoux. I find myself wondering why he failed to fire in the Bluegrass, yet the connections still train him over the surface.

Pleasant Prince will board a plane headed to Baltimore, MD on Wednesday. Then on Saturday he will be an also ran once again. It’s a shame. With a little patience he could be one of the best.

Filed Under: Horse Racing News, Triple Crown Tagged With: , , ,

Challengers lining up to face Pletcher and Borel’s Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver

May 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment


For the third time in four years Calvin Borel rocketed his mount to the front of the pack in the Kentucky Derby. In 2007 it was aboard juvenile champion Street Sense. He did it on super long shot Mine That Bird in 2009. This time it was on Super Saver. The Cajun jockey held three fingers to the sky after the race to signify these three horses.

Soon after he boldly stated that the son of Maria’s Mon would win the Triple Crown. Trainer Todd Pletcher said that Super Saver’s next race would come in the Preakness (shocking, right?). Calvin may believe he has the 12th Triple Crown winner of all time, but several challengers will line up to oppose him.

The first one that leaps out to me is Grade 2 Louisiana Derby runner up A Little Warm. He was very impressive stretching out in distance for the first time in that race. He appeared to be a sprinter, but he proved his doubters wrong by digging in and holding on for second after he came under attack early in the stretch run. If he can improve on that effort he would be dangerous in the Preakness. If Bob Baffert doesn’t send Conveyance his chances will be increased. Conveyance would likely burn him to a crisp on the lead.

I also like Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis winner Caracortado. The gelded son of Cat Dreams has had excuses in his last to races. In the Grade 2 San Felipe he had no fractions to chase and Sidney’s Candy easily pulled the wire job. In the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby he had to check sharply after the Gomez-Espinoza incident where Lookin at Lucky was slammed into the rail. If he goes to the Preakness and the fractions are sharp you can bet your ass he will come flying late. The only thing working against him is that Pimlico Racecourse favors speed.

The Kentucky Derby favorite, Lookin at Lucky, would have a heck of a chance if Bob Baffert decides to send him. He has encountered plenty of trouble in his three-year-old campaign, but has handled it well. He rallied to win the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes after clipping heels. In the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby he was unable to overcome being slammed into the rail, but still finished third. He put in a nice rally in the Derby but couldn’t overcome his rail post position. If Garrett Gomez can navigate a clean trip he will be loaded for bear turning for home and could mow them all down.

Others considering the race are Kentucky Derby third place finisher Paddy O’Prado. He is the definition of the “now” horse. He continues to improve with every start. Nick Zito and Bob LaPenta are toying with idea of starting Kentucky Derby runner up Ice Box in the Preakness, but will probably save him for the Belmont Stakes. Ice Box was easily the best colt in the Derby, but didn’t win because of an awful trip. Their other horse, Jackson Bend, is likely to go.

Other Kentucky Derby also rans’ considering the Preakness are Dublin, Make Music For Me, and Conveyance. New shooters include the Grade 3 Derby Trial first three finishers Hurricane Ike, Aikenite, and Pleasant Prince. Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby runner up Schoolyard Dreams and Grade 3 Illinois Derby fourth place finisher Turf Melody wrap up the list of potential challengers. Super Saver will undoubtedly be in with a huge shot, but these horses won’t make it easy on him.

Who is your early pick for the Preakness? Leave a comment and share your thoughts!

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