5 TOP
PREAKNESS CHALLENGERS FOR BIG BROWN
May 17, 2008
Many writers and horseplayers have
already handed Big Brown the Triple Crown. Not so
fast… While his Derby victory was extremely
impressive, he’s now coming back just two weeks
after that effort with no workouts and a full field
of fresh runners. If there’s a time to beat him, it
would be now. In my eyes, the five top challengers
for an upset would be:
1. Kentucky Bear—this lightly-raced
Mr. Greenley colt (only 3 lifetime starts) continues
to develop physically and there’s a lot of buzz
about him. He demolished a solid field (including
the speedy Samba Rooster) in his maiden effort at
Gulfstream in January, and then (among other
problems) bled in a disappointing effort in the
Fountain of Youth. After a break he came back for an
impressive third place finish in the Blue Grass, and
has put in some excellent works leading to this
race. Only missed the Derby due to lack of earnings.
Top contender for upset win.
2. Icabad Crane—this Jump Start colt
won the Federico Tesio at Pimlico last out, thus the
only contender with experience over this track. That
race’s form held up well when second-place finisher
Mint Lane ran excellent in last weekend’s Peter Pan,
finishing second behind the ultra-impressive Belmont
Stakes contender Casino Drive. With Jeremy Rose up
for Graham Motion, Icabad Crane warrants serious
consideration, in his third start after a layoff.
Another thing to like about him: his second dam
Adorable Micol (a graded-stakes winner and
black-type producer) was a daughter of Riverman,
known carrier of the Blue Larkspur LH (Large Heart)
X gene. Could his great-grandson possess this
physical benefit? For me, I’m betting so.
3. Macho Again—breaking from the rail
(23% win clip) is a huge bonus for this son of Macho
Uno; his pedigree, however, maybe his downfall.
Although his sire won the Mass Cap at 9 furlongs,
and his broodmare sire Wild Again won the Breeders
Cup Classic at 10 furlongs, Macho Again has never
won over 7.5 furlongs. Regardless, I rate him a
possible threat here with his post position.
4. Hey Byrn—breaking from the outside
post (13) isn’t ideal, but this colt was a "wise
guy" favorite after a definitive allowance win (by
over 14 lengths) at Gulfstream to start the year.
However, he was a non-factor in the Florida Derby
after being bumped hard at the start. Still, he came
back for a nice victory in the Holy Bull at the
Preakness distance last out, thus placing him among
the contenders.
5. Giant Moon—this Giant’s Causeway
colt displayed good early speed in the Wood
Memorial, and coming from post 11, he’ll need it
here. This will be his third start back off a layoff
(if you like that angle) and Ramon Dominguez gets
back aboard. Excellent works leading to this start,
and could be a player. God knows, with his sire
being Giant’ Causeway, he’s bred to run all day.
Have a look at our other Preakness
articles :
Preakness Picks and Analysis
Triple Crown Winners
Big Brown Favored to win the
Preakness
Triple Crown Odds
Current Preakness Odds
Preankess Notable Winners
Preakness Upset Prediction
2008 Preakness Contenders
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