It seems like just yesterday we were all a-buzz about Big Brown, who had the potential to be the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years. But his impressive performances in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes did little to overshadow an incredibly poor and disappointing run in the Belmont. He became another in a long line of also-rans who conquered two but not all three of thoroughbred racing’s biggest events.
Unless a horse wins the first two races, the most hyped leg of the Triple Crown is the Kentucky Derby. It’s probably the most prestigious race to win in the world.
But the real jewel of the Triple Crown is the Preakness Stakes.
Every year there is a horse who wins the Kentucky Derby. Only that horse out of the entire field of 20 has a chance at moving on in the Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing.
In less than two minutes, the Preakness Stakes is what hopes and dreams are either made of or completely dashed.
Preakness Stakes Run Down
The second race of the Triple Crown, the Preakness is the shortest distance of the three races at 1 and 3/16 miles around the Pimlico Track in Baltimore, Maryland. The winner is draped with a blanket of Black-eyed Susans and takes a large chunk of the $1 million purse. The Preakness is always held the third Saturday in May, two weeks after the Kentucky Derby.
This year, it’s this Saturday, May 16. Horses will step on to the track for a post time of 6:15 pm EST. Television coverage starts at 5:00 pm on NBC.
2009 Preakness Stakes Horses
This year, only Mine that Bird is running in the Preakness for eternal glory. The rest of the 13 starters are competing for the purse. Which of the horses running are your Preakness picks? Here is the 13-horse field as it stands three days before the race, in order of post position.
- Mine That Bird
- Pioneerof the Nile (KY Derby runner-up)
- Big Drama (likes to go to the front)
- Papa Clem (ran 4th in the Derby)
- Rachel Alexandra (Kentucky Oaks winning filly)
- Musket Man (3rd in the Derby)
- General Quarters (10th in the Derby, run by owner, trainer, groom Thomas McCarthy)
- Fresian Fire (one of the favorites with a poor showing in the Derby, back from a minor hoof injury)
- Take the Points (training impressively right now)
- Flying Private (looking for redemption after running last in the Derby)
- Hull (unbeaten so far)
- Terrain (looking to come out of a mediocre season)
- Tone It Down (piloted by Kent Desormeaux)
Mine That Bird, the 50-1 Kentucky Derby long-shot purchased for just $9,500, would be the ultimate Cinderella story if he won the Preakness too. Unfortunately, one of his biggest assests was his jockey Calvin Borel, whose ride was critical in his Derby win. Borel had a tough choice to make for the Preakness: ride Derby winner Mine That Bird or Kentucky Oaks winning filly Rachel Alexandra, who he also piloted. He chose the filly, who with Borel on her back has an exceedingly good chance of upsetting the boys in the Preakness.
In just a few short days we’ll have our Preakness results, and either all eyes will turn to the Belmont Stakes or the world will go on and forget about horse racing until the next first Saturday in May. It will be interesting to see how bettors influence the Preakness odds over the next few days, and who is expected to win. I have a feeling they might just be favoring the filly this year.
Your Take On The 2009 Preakness
So, who do you think has the best shot at winning the Preakness? As much as we all love a good underdog story, and as fun as it would be for him to be the next Triple Crown winner, do you think Mine That Bird has a chance?
Last year, many knowledgable racing fans said they didn’t think we’d ever see another Triple Crown winner. We just don’t make them like we used to. Do you think that’s the case?
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