Wednesday, May 14, 2014

The Preakness Posts and Odds

Ten horses are scheduled to contest the Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico.  One filly, one gelding, and eight colts will go to the post for the $1.5 million purse.  NBC will once again cover the Preakness live.  NBC Sports Network will televise several of the races on Friday, and those leading up to the Preakness on Saturday.  Eight of the entries were Kentucky-bred, with California Chrome in (of course) California, and Pablo Del Monte in Florida; there are three chestnuts and seven bays running... [Seven of the ten horses are related to *Forli, my favorite bloodline.]
  The Preakness is 1/16 of a mile shorter than the Derby, and is run in Maryland.  Only three horses that ran in the Derby are running in the Preakness, all the others are new entries.  California Chrome, who won the Kentucky Derby, is the betting favorite.  Most of the horses entered in the race are known to be fast breakers from the gate and are expected to battle for the lead early in the race; or they can get in front, and slow down, making it hard for California Chrome, or any late runners, to catch them in the home stretch...  With half the number of runners than were in the Derby, reinsmanship may be the main factor - so keep your eye on the jockeys!
  Following are the Post Positions, name of the entry, name of the jockey, and morning-line betting odds:
1.    Dynamic Impact,   Miguel Mina     12 to 1
2.    General a Rod,    Javier Castellano    15 to 1
3.    California Chrome,    Victor Espinoza     3 to 5
4.    Ring Weekend,    Alan Garcia    20 to 1
5.    Bayern,    Rosie Napravnik    10 to 1
6.    Ria Antonia,    Calvin Borel    30 to 1
7.    Kid Cruz,    Julian Pimentel    20 to 1
8.    Social Inclusion,    Luis Contreras    5 to 1
9.    Pablo Del Monte,    Jeffrey Sanchez    20 to 1
10.  Ride On Curlin,    Joel Rosario    10 to 1

Ria Antonia is the filly, and will carry 4 pounds less than the boys.  Ring Weekend is the gelding.  The horses not related to *Forli are: Dynamic Impact, Ring Weekend, and Social Inclusion.
   Who do I choose?  I'd like to see California Chrome become a Triple Crown winner....  I like the breeding of seven of the horses, and I like the looks of six of them.  I'll have to look at the horses as they're being saddled out in front of the stands at Pimlico, and see how the youngsters are responding to the (usually rowdy) infield crowd.  Then I'll place my bets - quickly.

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