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Preakness Stakes 2010

May 15, 2010 by · Comments Off on Preakness Stakes 2010 

Preakness Stakes 2010Preakness Stakes 2010:SB Nation’s horse racing expert, Matt Gardner, gives us a preview of the twelve horses running in the Preakness Stakes on Saturday 135a. This was originally posted here.

Aikenite: This student Todd Pletcher won the first race of his career last August and since then has lost seven in a row. He finished second in the Derby of First Instance only a couple of weeks, but you have to wonder if this horse wants to win against this level of competition.

Scarface: The colt won five consecutive races before finishing third and fourth in his last two races at Santa Anita Park. He likes to push the pace should ensure that he is in a good position from the outset in the Preakness. His best races, however, have been on synthetic tracks and it is a bit of an unknown as to whether they will be transferred to a conventional dirt that at Pimlico.

Dublin: Not having a horrible race in the Derby, yet stabilized in the lane to the time to get really going. It has been over nine months since the horse has won, and he still has not won a foot race around two turns. His father, Afleet Alex, he could run all day, Dublin can be a horse who wants a little less land.

First Dude: The second pupil Dale Romans in the field, first Dude finished 3rd in the Blue Grass and fifth in the Florida Derby earlier this spring. Like many of the horses in this race has started quite well on several occasions, but do not wow. And he never great race against top competition. It could be a bit short on class at the Preakness.

Jackson Bend: Nick Zito’s colt was an important step in the middle stages of the Derby to get to 2 3 / 4 lengths of cable and then stabilized until the end of almost 20 lengths back at the wire. That was the first time in his career that Jackson did not finish first curve or two, which certainly suggests that the colt has a better career on it.

Looking at the Lucky: The Derby favorite had the worst draw of the 20 horses from two weeks ago and found a lot of problems all the way around the track. Trainer Bob Baffert waited until Monday to decide whether or not to enter the lot on Saturday. That might have been cunning on your part or it could have been really sure if your horse needs a break. If the latter could be a very bad bet on Saturday. Jockey Garrett Gomez will be replaced by Martin Garcia.

Northern Giant:
This colt seemed to be progressing very well until he finished last of nine horses in the Arkansas Derby back on April 10. It won only once in his career and tried again in this sixth against maidens Feb.4 but worked well betting against the horses, both in the Risen Star and the High Stakes Lanes End. Both races went a bit soft and it seems unlikely as a winner on Saturday.

Rice O’Prado: Dale Romans colt ‘ran the race of his life in the Derby and was rewarded with third place money. Will not in 12 / 1 in the Preakness, as he did in Kentucky, but it is a colt figures to be improved in the mix at the end.

Nice Prince: This colt was defeated by Ice Box Derby runner-up in the Florida Derby again on March 20. He struggled mightily in the Blue Grass, but that the race was over Polytrack at Keeneland and can probably be expelled. It will close and fast fractions on the front to have a big impact in the race.

Schoolyard dreams: the lack of the Derby after a fourth in the Wood Memorial on earnings left him short classification. He’ll get his chance in the Preakness and has a nice stalking style should keep this in a good place in the early career. It could be a good chance of discomfort if he is able to take the next step. This colt finished ahead of Derby winner Super Saver earlier this spring in the Tampa Bay Derby.

Super Saver: The Derby winner might find a setting for the race even better in the Preakness than he did in the Derby because of its ability to sit next step. With a little heat without going through the race there will plenty of speed in the front. When you throw in the smaller field and less than 1/16th of a mile to run, a harasser and Super Saver must be in very good position to win when the field reaches the top of the strip. But if it gets too excited early in the race and will not relax, there could be problems.

Twist Yawanna: Richard Dutrow’s horse run only four races in his career, including two graded stakes, and he is his own place at all times. It was a favorite in the Illinois Derby, but could only muster a second place finish behind American Lion. The most likely be available in disagreement on Saturday and would not be a surprise to see him finish in the top four.

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