The Preakness; Kegasus!

Indian Charlie · #1 03-24-2011, 10:27 AM

Is, oddly enough, shaping up to be the most interesting race of the year.

Besides the Derby horses going there, I've recently read from the connections of both Cal Nation and Maclean's Music that the Preakness is on their radar.

I'd also not be surprised if Bind showed up there as well.

randallscott35 · #2 03-24-2011, 10:31 AM

Will Uncle Mo get redemption after flopping in the Derby? Stay tuned.

The Indomitable DrugS · #3 03-24-2011, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

Is, oddly enough, shaping up to be the most interesting race of the year.

Besides the Derby horses going there, I've recently read from the connections of both Cal Nation and Maclean's Music that the Preakness is on their radar.

I'd also not be surprised if Bind showed up there as well.

Cal Nation simply isn't competitive in the Preakness right now... he won an empty MSW race at GP. He came back in what looked like a sneaky tough spot - an N1X alw race where both his stablemate and a 17/1 outsider had clearly superior pace numbers to him. He did not respond well to having to work a lot harder early on at grossly overbet odds. A two-turn cutback with better pace numbers beat him in surprsingly weak time.

Maclean's Music should not be rushed to make the Preakness. He is not freaking Curlin. If they handle him like a sprinter and don't rush him - he will be a much better sprinter than a Curlin ever was as a router.

-BT- · #4 03-24-2011, 11:55 AM

yeah i didn't understand the hype behind why winstar plots out a course for a nx1 horse, or why bloodhorse feels the need to make it its top story.

as far as Maclean's music goes, i think distance will be an issue for him... regardless if he's in the preakness or not.

tjfla · #5 03-24-2011, 02:50 PM

As of right now there are 3 horses pointing for the Preakness

Cal Nation
Norman Asbjornson
Bandbox

Indian Charlie · #6 03-24-2011, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Cal Nation simply isn't competitive in the Preakness right now... he won an empty MSW race at GP. He came back in what looked like a sneaky tough spot - an N1X alw race where both his stablemate and a 17/1 outsider had clearly superior pace numbers to him. He did not respond well to having to work a lot harder early on at grossly overbet odds. A two-turn cutback with better pace numbers beat him in surprsingly weak time.

Maclean's Music should not be rushed to make the Preakness. He is not freaking Curlin. If they handle him like a sprinter and don't rush him - he will be a much better sprinter than a Curlin ever was as a router.

I thought Cal Nations maiden race was massively overrated. Nevertheless, it still makes for an interesting race.

RolloTomasi · #7 03-24-2011, 09:46 PM

I understand Bandbox pointing to the Preakness, as he ran a few times at 2 and has been doing fairly well on the Maryland circuit.

But why are these "late bloomer"-types (Bind, Maclean's Music, etc.) who would be hard pressed (and likely ruined) to make the Derby somehow viable Preakness candidates?

It's only 1/2 a furlong shorter and only 2 weeks after the Derby. Is that enough cushion to bring them "up to speed"? I wouldn't think so.

These horses should be targeting the Haskell and Travers if they even prove to be route horses in the first place.

Indian Charlie · #8 03-24-2011, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

I understand Bandbox pointing to the Preakness, as he ran a few times at 2 and has been doing fairly well on the Maryland circuit.

But why are these "late bloomer"-types (Bind, Maclean's Music, etc.) who would be hard pressed (and likely ruined) to make the Derby somehow viable Preakness candidates?

It's only 1/2 a furlong shorter and only 2 weeks after the Derby. Is that enough cushion to bring them "up to speed"? I wouldn't think so.

These horses should be targeting the Haskell and Travers if they even prove to be route horses in the first place.

It's the earnings thing.