Preakness 2011 usatoday sports horses triple preakness 2011-05-20 preakness capsules

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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