Preakness Picks
Mea culpa: Super Saver never appeared on my top 10 list before the Kentucky Derby. He didn’t appear on any of my tickets Derby day either, despite one small mention I made Derby week of his positive attributes. (I can’t toss him? Well, I did.) For the Preakness, though, I’m on the bandwagon. Despite Todd Pletcher’s concern that 14 days may be too quick a turnaround (a worry Andrew Beyer knocks down), all reports are that the colt came out the Derby in excellent condition and is exercising enthusiastically at Pimlico. With little pace expected, and his now proven versatility, Super Saver will be tough to beat in the Preakness. I’ll be playing an exacta with Caracortado, the California-bred gelding with an ugly Santa Anita Derby running line shipping east for the first time. He’s fresh, he has heart, and he prefers to be forwardly placed, a running style that should suit a race without much speed.
More picks: Horserace Insider, The Rail, Hello Race Fans.
Calvin Borel walks back: Flush with the immediate thrill of a Derby win, the jockey made a bold prediction. “I’m going to win the Triple Crown this year.” This week, he’s feeling more circumspect:
“I knew if he could win the Derby, he’d be really tough in the next two legs,” said Borel. “But to predict a Triple Crown? You just can’t do that. Man, winning it is tough to do.”
“It’s a challenge, for sure. But it’s something you look forward to. To me, there’s nothing as exciting in this game as potentially going to the Belmont with a Triple Crown candidate, and that’s certainly what we’re hoping for.”
Kenny Mayne checks in from Baltimore:
As I climbed four flights of stairs I wondered if we’d have to airlift Hank Goldberg onto the roof. He’s weighed down by that much money.
Changing the subject: I’ve been meaning to return to Wednesday’s post on the Breeders’ Cup, in which I glossed over a couple important points; I might wait another day or two to do so, considering the news this afternoon that MI Developments has voided the Oak Tree at Santa Anita contract. Regarding the discussions between the Breeders’ Cup and Oak Tree about hosting the event permanently at Santa Anita, Oak Tree executive Sherwood Chillingworth commented, “This certainly could affect that in some way.” Understated.
Elsewhere: A short piece about fractions for Hello Race Fans.
