14 May, 2006
The Preakness Stakes is starting to look like a Saturday feature at Santa Anita, just the type of race that Brother Derek would love. Bob Baffert has announced that he has taken Point Determined and Bob and John out of consideration from the Preakness Stakes, leaving six probable entries.
From the wagering standpoint, this is one of the most unattractive Preakness races in over a decade…unless you have inside information about a rapid temperature drop in hell next weekend. If you are watching the Preakness in the anticipation of seeing the next Triple Crown champion, you have to be excited. There is a 95% chance you can throw out the possibility of a troubled trip by Barbaro with a field this small, but you do have to worry about Brother Derek getting loose on lead.
This is the type of field that Brother Derek has thrived in during his short career. Look back over his past performances and you will see it cluttered with near flawless performances over a speed favoring track with small fields. Trainer Dan Hendricks must love Brother Derek’s chances to spoil Barbaro’s Triple Crown bid.
Hold all tickets though! With the lack of a rabbit in this race, it is likely that Barbaro and Brother Derek will be out in front of the pack, and a speed duel could result. This could set up perfectly for a rating Sweetnorthernsaint to close the gap and pass two tiring super horses in the stretch…although I doubt that an experienced jockey like Edgar Prado would allow this to happen.
Talk back and let me know if you will bother to wager on the Preakness with such a small field.
10 May, 2006
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