Orb, the even money morning line favorite, will attempt to keep his Triple Crown bid alive this Sunday in the 138th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore Maryland. Orb handled the slop in the Kentucky Derby and set the stage for his attempt to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.
Of course Orb will not be taking to the track by himself. A small field, for Preakness Stakes standards, of eight other contenders will load into the gate on Saturday attempting to ruin Orbs chance at history. If you have a short memory here is the 2013 Kentucky Derby for your viewing and evaluation pleasure.
httpv://youtu.be/VqVExYZNTgk
YouTube Video Courtesy of kentuckyderby
Last night the post-position draw occurred and below is the breakdown of the post positions and information about each contender.
|
Post |
Horse-M/L |
Trainer |
Jockey |
|
1 |
Orb (Even) |
“Shug” McGaughey |
Rosario |
| Comment: An impressive victory in the Kentucky Derby over a sloppy track. Will be going for six wins in a row. Faces much of the same competition as two weeks ago at Churchill Downs. Drew the rail where only one horse has won in the last 51 years. Had a blazing and impressive workout leading up to the Preakness. | |||
|
2 |
Goldencents (8-1) |
Doug O’Neill |
Krigger |
| Comment: Very disappointing 17th place finish at the Kentucky Derby. Does he not like the slop? How much did Krigger ease him around the far turn? Can you throw that race out and look back to the dominant Santa Anita Derby? A ton of questions surround the formerly heavy betted horse at Churchill. | |||
|
3 |
Titletown Five (30-1) |
D. Wayne Lukas |
Leparoux |
| Comment: Just not sure he belongs. One career victory and no wins this season. Finished second at the Gazebo Stakes at Oaklawn and a poor ninth in the Louisiana Derby in his last two starts. Appears Lukas is going on a hunch here and nothing more. | |||
|
4 |
Departing (6-1) |
Albert M Stall Jr |
Hernandez |
| Comment: Four wins and has never been out of the money in five career starts. Most recently captured the Illinois Derby with a 3+ length victory. The only loss was a third place finish to Revolutionary and Mylute in the Louisiana Derby who finished third and fifth respectfully in the Kentucky Derby. | |||
|
5 |
Mylute (5-1) |
Tom Amoss |
Napravnik |
| Comment: Two career victories in 10 starts. Poor start at the Derby put him second to last. Big move, much like Orb, to pass many horses in the stretch to close for fifth. Did he pass tired horses or was his race underrated? If the latter is true and with the smaller field, Napravnik might have a live one under her. | |||
|
6 |
Oxbow (15-1) |
D. Wayne Lukas |
Stevens |
| Comment: Two career victories in 10 starts. Won the G3 LeComte in January and failed by just a half length in the Risen Star and by a head in the Rebel. An underappreciated Derby after chasing blistering fractions, was still in the mix half way through the stretch which is eerily close to the Preakness distance. Hmm. | |||
|
7 |
Will Take Charge (12-1) |
D. Wayne Lukas |
Smith |
| Comment: Three wins in eight career starts. Won the Smarty Jones Stakes and the Rebel until finishing eighth in the Kentucky Derby. Made a bold move with a quarter mile to run the derby but could not find his way through traffic problems. The same traffic problems should not be present this Saturday. | |||
|
8 |
Govenor Charlie (12-1) |
Bob Baffert |
Garcia |
| Comment: Only three career starts but has two victories and a second place finish. The only stakes competition he has faced was in a victory at the G3 Sunland Derby. In that race he won by five lengths and set the race record for fastest time. Can he step up again? It will be a career best if he wants a chance to win this Saturday. | |||
|
9 |
Itsmyluckyday (10-1) |
Eddie Plesa Jr |
Velazquez |
| Comment: Five victories in 11 lifetime starts. Won the G3 Holy Bull and finished a strong second as the betting favorite in the Florida Derby to Kentucky Derby winner Orb. Ran an uninspired 15th in the Derby, his worse career finish. Was it the track? Can it be thrown out? | |||
Up Next: My Breakdown and Picks
Leave a Reply