Preakness Questions

Fourteen horses have passed the entry box for the Preakness Stakes. With Post Positions drawn, here are some of the top questions for each entry.

Astrology: Is he fast enough. Been highly regarded since his 2 year old win at Saratoga. With just two starts this year. Still could be on the improve. Chased a fast pace with a mid-race move at Sunland. Ran evenly in the slop, out kicked by Adios Charlie in the final furlong in the Withers. Recent work tab is ok. Biggest plus is he has a good post and should be able to sit off the speed and make his mid-race move. Biggest negative, hasn't shown the closing kick to finish off top horses in the past.

Norman Asbjornson: Has worked strong one mile gallops all spring. Seems fresh and healthy and has gotten his share of the money in most races. Needs to run faster to win the race. Local connections add to the appeal.

King Congie: Turf to Poly and now trying the dirt. The King has lots of interesting angles. A "partnership" horse won the Derby, with Animal Kingdom, West Point has this "partner" horse. Robbie Abarado jumps on board and he was scheduled to ride Animal Kingdom in the Derby before being taken off the mount. This horse has run on the turf, but doesn't necessarily have "turf" breeding, Badge of Silver and End Sweep are "traditional" dirt sires. Bluegrass stakes was run with a slow pace and finished a head behind. Faced two of the strong speed figures in his 2 year old races, Uncle Mo and Fort Hughes. Not without a shot.

Flashpoint: Have a feeling this horse will receive some support at the windows. Broke slow in the Florida Derby and raced wide. Has run fast and this horses should be the Speed of the speed on the engine and on the pace from the bell.

"Shackleford" Derby effort may have been "pace" biased. Ran on the lead with slow fractions, but the track played kindly to wide sweeping moves and horses off the pace on both Oaks and Derby day. Distance may still not be to his liking. Expecting a regression.

Sway Away: Gets Garret Gomez after an ill-timed ride by Pval in the Arkansas Derby, could be one run closer, or could be just learning to time his move. Strong recent workouts including six furlongs in 1:11 and 3/5 on May 7th at Churchill Downs.

Midnight Interlude: Ran evenly in Kentucky. Strong move on Monday in slop, sits a better trip in the Baltimore and may still have some improvement in him. New jock Garcia will probably be more aggressive and should get a clear run from the 2nd "tier" of horses.

Dance City: This is the "wise" guy horse! The kiss of death. His Arkansas Derby was huge, but may have been misleading inherited the lead after JP Gusto sent ridiculous fractions.

Mucho Macho Man: 3M brings it to the house every time, 6 week layoff may have hurt him in Kentucky, was ridden conservatively by Maragh and finished strong, smaller filed and seems to run all day long, he will make his move sooner on Saturday.

Dialed In: Zito still high on this horse. Never been a fan, seems like a one run horse, small, efficient horse, wins when able to pass a horse quickly, don't see him being able to grind out a win. Will have to make decisive burst and will still be last 1/2 way down the stretch in Baltimore, probably with quicker fractions.

Animal Kingdom: Dominating Derby win, did experience a clean trip. Finished like a horse with lots of upside. Should be sitting around 7th and will try to make his move just like in Kentucky, no timed work in the past 14 days, although a nice gallop on Wednesday.

Isn't He Perfect. Closer has ran in some tough stakes races. New jockey in Edgar Prado may be able to sit back and make a run into the strong fractions. Not a auto-toss by any means, expect a good effort on Saturday.

Concealed Identity: Edmond Gaudet at 80 years old has a Preakness Starter. Won the Tesio stakes as his prep into the race, but seems to be peaking at the right time with back to back wins. Not a fan of the 13 hole.

Mr. Commons: Not a good post position. Strong works, including some distance and some speed works. Ran evenly in the Santa Anita Derby. First time in career facing a double digit field, which can be a daunting task for a lot of horses. Shipping from the west coast and three seven furlong works. May appreciate getting off the "Santa Anita Highway" from this winter.

Questions:

Does Animal Kingdom improve or regress off the Derby: In recent years, very few horses have stayed even. Funny Cide and War Emblem improved. Super Saver last year was listless and ran a very dull race.

The New shooters: Breeding, Pedigree and Running style point to Astrology, Sway Away and Mr. Commons.

Experience: Midnight Interlude will probably run better and Mucho Macho Man is capable of putting in a stronger run.

Possibly Regressing: Shackleford and Dialed In. The Shack has a very funky stride and Dialed In was worked only once in five weeks before the Derby. No works since the Derby, if these are the new training methods, i'm not a fan of the new training methods.

Flashpoint: Overbet Question Mark?

Time to hit the Replays and solve the puzzle. Back with final selections tomorrow.

Black Eyed Suan Stakes: Look for Royal Delta to Romp!