RACE FOR THE TRIPLE CROWN (Preakness 2011)
1st SHACKLEFORD 2nd ANIMAL KINGDOM 3rd ASTROLOGY
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/horses/triple/preakness/2011-05-20-preakness-capsules_N.htm
The line up and my picks in red(also the winner edited in after race finish)
Astrology
Saddle cloth: 1. Odds: 15-1.
Jockey: Mike Smith. Won the Preakness with Prairie Bayou (1993).
Trainer: Steve Asmussen. Won with Curlin (2007) and Rachel Alexandra (2009).
Owners: Stonestreet Stables and George Bolton.
Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (Ky.).
Sire: A.P. Indy (Seattle Slew). Dam: Quiet Eclipse (Quiet American).
Record, earnings: 7: 2-3-2; $358,893.
Last start: Second, Jerome.
What's to like: Always finished in the top three.
Second thoughts: Second in his last three starts.
Bottom line: Star potential.
Norman Asbjornson
Saddle cloth: 2. Odds: 30-1.
Jockey: Julian Pimentel. Preakness debut.
Trainer: Christopher Grove. The Maryland trainer makes his Preakness debut.
Owners: Thomas McClay and Harry Nye.
Breeders: Thomas McClay, Harry Nye and Horseshoe Valley (Pa.).
Sire: Real Quiet (Quiet American). Dam: Merryland Missy (Citidancer).
Record, earnings: 7: 2-1-0; $167,200.
Last start: Fourth, Wood Memorial.
What's to like: Pointed toward this spot.
Second thoughts: Nothing special in the Wood.
Bottom line: Can't recommend.
King Congie
Saddle cloth: 3. Odds: 20-1.
Jockey: Robby Albarado, lost his Derby mount on Animal Kingdom because of injuries.
Trainer: Tom Albertrani. Won with his only starter (Bernardini, 2006).
Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds.
Breeder: Bob Austin (Ky.).
Sire: Badge of Silver (Silver Deputy). Dam: Wise Ending (End Sweep).
Record, earnings: 6: 2-0-2; $174,290.
Last start: Third, Blue Grass.
What's to like: Solid in the Blue Grass.
Second thoughts: Both wins were on turf.
Bottom line: Dirt probably is not his best surface.
Flashpoint
Saddle cloth: 4. Odds: 20-1.
Jockey: Cornelio Velasquez. 0-for-3 in Preakness.
Trainer: Wesley Ward. Ran 11th last year with Pleasant Prince.
Owner: Peachtree Stables.
Breeder: Silverleaf Farms (Fla.).
Sire: Pomeroy (Boundary). Dam: Two Punch Lil (Two Punch).
Record, earnings: 3: 2-0-0; $165,200.
Last start: Fourth, Florida Derby.
What's to like: Tremendous early speed.
Second thoughts: Should be pressured.
Bottom line: Dangerous if he shakes loose.
Shackleford (winner, edit noted after finish)
Saddle cloth: 5. Odds: 12-1.
Jockey: Jesus Castanon. Preakness newcomer.
Trainer: Dale Romans. Took second last year with First Dude.
Owner/breeder: Michael Lauffer and W.D. Cubbedge.
Sire: Forestry (Storm Cat). Dam: Oatsee (Unbridled).
Record, earnings: 6: 2-1-0; $371,666.
Last start: Fourth, Kentucky Derby.
What's to like: Has the ability to carry speed.
Second thoughts: A potential speed duel hurts.
Bottom line: Can get a piece.
Sway Away
Saddle cloth: 6. Odds: 15-1.
Jockey: Garrett Gomez. Winless in five tries.
Trainer: Jeff Bonde. 0-for-1.
Owners: Phil Lebherz, Batman Stable, Cindy Olsen, Glen Wallace and Janet Sharp.
Breeder: Billy Tillery and Bob Sliger (Ky.).
Sire: Afleet Alex (Northern Afleet). Dam: Seattle Shimmer (Seattle Slew).
Record, earnings: 5: 1-2-0; $126,600.
Last start: Fourth, Arkansas Derby.
What's to like: Can improve on the Arkansas race.
Second thoughts: 0-for-3 this year.
Bottom line: Stay away.
Midnight Interlude
Saddle cloth: 7. Odds: 15-1.
Jockey: Martin Garcia. Guided home Lookin At Lucky in 2010.
Trainer: Bob Baffert. Won his fifth Preakness with Lookin At Lucky.
Owner/breeder: Arnold Zetcher(Ky.).
Sire: War Chant (Danzig). Dam: Midnight Kiss (Groom Dancer).
Record, earnings: 5: 2-1-1; $649,680.
Last start: 16th, Kentucky Derby.
What's to like: Pulled a Santa Anita upset.
Second thoughts: Showed little in the Derby.
Bottom line: Improvement is expected.
Dance City
Saddle cloth: 8. Odds: 12-1.
Jockey: Ramon Dominguez. 0-for-8.
Trainer: Todd Pletcher. Came up empty in six tries.
Owner: Estate of Edward Evans.
Breeder: Edward Evans (Va.).
Sire: City Zip (Carson City). Dam: Ballet Colony (Pleasant Colony).
Record, earnings: 4: 2-1-1; $160,900.
Last start: Third, Arkansas Derby.
What's to like: Is training impressively.
Second thoughts: Lacks seasoning.
Bottom line: Merits consideration.
Mucho Macho Man
Saddle cloth: 9. Odds: 6-1.
Jockey: Rajiv Maragh. Debuts in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.
Trainer: Kathy Ritvo. Can become the first female trainer to win the race.
Owners: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Dream Team Racing.
Breeders: J.D. and Carole Rio.
Sire: Macho Uno (Holy Bull). Dam: Ponche de Leona (Ponche).
Record, earnings: 9: 2-3-3; $610,643.
Last start: Third, Kentucky Derby.
What's to like: Ultra-consistent.
Second thoughts: Never threatened in the Derby.
Bottom line: Not so tough here.
Dialed In
Saddle cloth: 10. Odds: 9-2.
Jockey: Julien Leparoux. Second with Macho Again (2008).
Trainer: Nick Zito. Won with Louis Quatorze (1996).
Owner: Robert LaPenta.
Breeders: W.S. Farish, Madeleine Pickens and Skara Glen Stables (Ky.).
Sire: Mineshaft (A.P. Indy). Dam: Miss Doolittle (Storm Cat).
Record, earnings: 5: 3-1-0; $879,206.
Last start: Eighth, Kentucky Derby.
What's to like: Is in capable hands.
Second thoughts: The closer must have a strong pace.
Bottom line: Keen contender.
Animal Kingdom
Saddle cloth: 11. Odds: 2-1.
Jockey: John Velazquez. Winless in three tries, coming in fifth each time.
Trainer: Graham Motion. Fourth Preakness attempt.
Owner: Team Valor International.
Breeder: Team Valor (Ky.).
Sire: Leroidesanimaux (Candy Stripes). Dam: Dalicia (Acatenango).
Record, earnings: 5: 3-2-0; $1,738,700.
Last start: Won the Kentucky Derby by 23/4 lengths.
What's to like: First dirt start was a winner.
Second thoughts: Faces a two-week turnaround.
Bottom line: Major player again.
Isn't He Perfect
Saddle cloth: 12. Odds: 30-1.
Jockey: Edgar Prado. Looks to end a 0-for-13 drought.
Trainer: Doodnauth Shivmangal. Preakness debut.
Owner: Kharag Stables.
Breeder: Diamond A Racing Corp. (Ky.).
Sire: Pleasantly Perfect (Pleasant Colony). Dam: Reciclada (Rictorious).
Record, earnings: 12: 2-0-1; $90,222.
Last start: Fifth, Jerome.
What's to like: Nothing.
Second thoughts: None.
Bottom line: Not perfect. Not close.
Concealed Identity
Saddle cloth: 13. Odds: 30-1.
Jockey: Sheldon Russell. First try at the black-eyed Susans.
Trainer: Ed Gaudet. The local trainer is new to the Preakness.
Owners: Linda Gaudet and Morris Bailey.
Breeders: Bowman & Higgins Stable and Patricia Chapman (Md.).
Sire: Smarty Jones (Elusive Quality). Dam: Richetta (Polish Numbers).
Record, earnings: 8: 4-0-0; $120,780.
Last start: Won Federico Tesio.
What's to like: Two-time winner at Pimlico Race Course.
Second thoughts: Major jump in competition.
Bottom line: Can't hide dislike.
Mr. Commons
Saddle cloth: 14. Odds: 20-1.
Jockey: Victor Espinoza. West Coast rider won with War Emblem (2002).
Trainer: John Shirreffs. Took third with Giacomo (2005).
Owner/Breeder: St. George Farm Racing (Ky.).
Sire: Artie Schiller (El Prado) Dam: Joustabout (Apalachee).
Record, earnings: 4: 2-0-1; $186,400.
Last start: Third, Santa Anita Derby.
What's to like: Quality trainer.
Second thoughts: Considerable layoff.
Bottom line: Will pass.
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Posted 4d 12h ago Updated 4d 6h ago
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