Old Beyer Angle

[Calzone Lord]

In a span of 16 straight Preakness editions run between 1994 and 2009, every single winner of the Preakness had already run a Beyer figure of 103 or higher - at a route distance - and on a fast track - coming into the race.

The streak survived for a final year in 2009 when Rachel Alexandra ($5.60) won the Preakness as the lone wolf in the field to have done this.

In 2010, the streak was automatically broken, as no horse in the field had ever done it.

In fact, Jackson Bend (just a 100) had the outright highest coming in. He finished 3rd beaten less than a length at 11/1 odds.

In 2011, Animal Kingdom was the lone wolf. He was the only member in the field to do it, and finished 2nd beaten a half length at 2/1 odds.

In 2012, Bodemeister was the lone wolf. He finished 2nd beaten a neck.

This year, surprisingly, there are two Goldencents (105) and Itsmyluckyday (104) who qualify.

Orb ran a 104 in the Kentucky Derby, but technically, it was a wet track.

The big problem for Goldencents and Itsmyluckyday is the dynamics are terrible for both of them. They both earned those big figures with a perfect trip they don't project to get...and the front-running sprinter Titletown Five's presence really spoils the party. Not only that, but Oxbow has the same stalk-and-go running style.