This time, unlike in the Kentucky Derby, I had the correct order of finish. I fully expected Street Sense to win the Preakness and was rooting for him, but as I said to KeyDear on the phone, I was betting on Curlin and would pick Hard Spun for third. Too bad I didn't have any money on this race.
But it was another exciting race! Street Sense came from the back just like he did in the Derby and flew past Curlin at the 1/8 pole. I doubt anyone except jockey Robby Albarado expected Curlin to come back and get a short head in front at the wire. And they were flying - the race record of 1:53.4 was tied.
Three races earlier, Albarado had been thrown from his mount when Mending Fences broke down in the Dixie Stakes. Albarado walked away unhurt, but sadly Mending Fences was euthanized on the track. Mending Fences, a 5-year-old stallion with seven wins in his career, had sustained a compound fracture of his right front leg.
A happier scene took place when Michael Matz, the trainer of Barbaro, won the inaugural Barbaro Stakes and was presented the trophy by Roy and Gretchen Jackson, Barbaro's owners. The bittersweet reunion occurred after Chelokee, arguably the finest 3-year-old in Matz's stable, won easily as the overwhelming favorite. Edgar Prado, who was aboard Barbaro in the Preakness last year, finished second on Silver Express. Minutes after the race, Matz entered the winner's circle, smiled and hugged the Jacksons. Officials at Pimlico Race Course renamed the Sir Barton Stakes (the first winner of the Triple Crown) to the Barbaro Stakes back in December. The plan was to have Barbaro parade on the track before the race, but he never got the chance. It was nice, if unsurprising, to see Matz win.
Three weeks to the Belmont Stakes. I'll wait to see how Curlin and Street Sense recover, but I've got my eye on a longshot already - Imawildandcrazyguy. He made a big move to finish fourth in the Derby and was gaining on the leaders. Maybe the extra distance will suit him.
Great race... It was better to share it with wabbit over the phone while watching! My horse did okay, but the Curlin is one amazing winner, with lots of guts. Watching him lunge that last stride toward the photo finish was remarkable! Wabbit said it tied the track record for speed.. I did feel sorry for the jockey's with maybe 4-5 pairs of goggles! To see a jockey finish without a clean pair on, really must have felt like mud in your eye when he saw he was just beat out of first.
ReplyDeleteWe'll have to do a phone call again during the Belmont. Word is that Street Sense won't be entered, since there is no Triple Crown on the line. I think that's a good decision; if the horse needs a break, let him have a break. That's one of the reasons I'm so high on Curlin, he never raced as a two-year-old. Horse racing is an expensive business, but I believe that pushing the races back a year would save a lot of animals. Make the Triple Crown a series for four-year-olds, and let the babies be babies and let their bones set.
ReplyDeleteBut, as usual, that's just me.n
Hmmm, where did that stray n come from?
ReplyDeleteWe should do a conference call with anhaga if he's available that day.
How is Anhanga?? Hope all is well, and yeah, I love the conference call idea.
ReplyDeleteI got an email from him yesterday, he's weary, but recovering. Hopefully he'll be back up to snuff very soon.
ReplyDelete