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PREAKNESS STAKES 2007
Granted, the Preakness Stakes does not compare to the excitement of the Kentucky Derby. But it’s still the 2nd leg of the Triple Crown and will have all eyes on Pimlico to see if Street Sense can grab the win and then move on to Belmont in three weeks to attempt to become the first Triple Crown winner in three decades.
For the sake of horse racing, I would love to see Street Sense win the triple Crown. Horse Racing has been in desperate need of a boost, long before last years tragedy with Barbaro at this very same track and race.
When I was a kid just getting into watching the races, Seattle Slew won the Triple Crown. From that year on, I was hooked. The following year, Affirmed won the Triple Crown and I figured hey, this is great, I wonder who’s going to win the Triple Crown next year! Little did I know almost 30 years would pass and still no Triple Crown winner since Affirmed.
Point being, a Triple Crown winner would go a long way towards saving this great sport and has the potential to hook in a new generation of race fans.
So yeah, I’ll be rooting for Street Sense from that perspective. However, from a wagering standpoint, there’s very little opportunity in this 9 horse race with the favorite sitting at 7/5 and his two Derby cohorts Curlin and Hard Spun not far behind on the tote board. The only chance of making any kind of a Score in this race is to have one of the longer shots either hit the board to boost up the exotics payoffs, or, pull an outright upset and win the race.
So does anyone else have a shot?
While not a long shot, I think Hard Spun could give Street Sense trouble here. This race is much shorter than the Derby. In the Derby, Hard Spun was right there at the end and while Street Sense was the better horse and had more left in his tank, the shorter distance could be the key for Hard Spun as Street Sense will have to make his move much sooner in this race. Remember, Street Sense came from 19th to over take the Derby field. Remember also the Street Sense and jockey Calvin Borel had the home field advantage in the Derby. Now they have to go on the road. Just so happens Hard Spuns rider Mario Pino has run at Pimlico 15,000 times and knows every nook and cranny of that track.
Anyone else have much of a chance? It doesn’t appear so…….
Xchanger 15/1 – This horse is the only one in the field to have raced at this track. Won the Federico Tesio here back in April against suspect opposition however. Curlin beat this horse by 12 lengths in another race.
Circular Quay 8/1 – Had a long layoff leading up to the Derby, which he finished 6th in. He could be ready to peak for this one.
Curlin 7/2 – Had to overcome trouble in the Derby and suffered his first defeat. Can’t count Curlin out but the price will be too high.
Folks, your best bet in this race is probably to sit back and root for Street Sense to win in order to set up a very exciting day 3 weeks from now for the Belmont Stakes as we all watch to see if we finally get another Triple Crown winner.
However, if you’re going to take a shot, your best chance is to include Xchanger and Circular Quay in your exotics and hope they hit the board or pull a miracle upset.
You may also want to look at individual match ups for some decent prices. Here are some current match up prices :
Street Sense -195 vs Hard Spun +155
Street Sense -190 vs Curlin +150
Hard Spun -135 vs Curlin +105
Circular Quay -185 vs King of Roxy +155
Flying First Class -170 vs Xchanger +140
Hard Spun -210 vs Circular Quay +170
If you make any wagers, good luck. Either way, enjoy the race!!!