Preakness Bound
– A very happy Calvin Borel after the Kentucky Derby:
– And in white tie, on his way to meet the Queen.
– Trainer Carl Nafzger is downplaying Preakness talk, even telling reporters that the race isn’t “even on the radar now” (USA Today), but the Derby winner is almost definitely bound for Baltimore, where he’ll probably meet up with Hard Spun and Curlin again. Others considered possible for the race are Chelokee and Xchanger. Past performances for likely Preakness starters are up on DRF.
– A Street Sense-Hard Spun rivalry is blooming, with trainer Larry Jones appearing to relish the role of potential Triple Crown spoiler. “There hasn’t been a Triple Crown winner since 1978, and there won’t be one this year either, if I have my say” (Baltimore Sun). Hard Spun was one of the horses I had trouble figuring out before the Derby and I’m not so sure I see him turning the tables on Street Sense the next time they meet. But then, both colts progressed well, earning new career-best Beyers in the Derby, and it’s unlikely Street Sense will get the same golden rail trip in “Pino land” as he did at Churchill. One curious thing about Street Sense’s Derby run was the way he moved back to the rail after passing Hard Spun, on his own, rather than continuing to run straight in the two-path. That move, combined with the ducking in during the Bluegrass when Street Sense was forced to run off the rail, certainly suggests a tactical weakness …
