"You go into these races thinking that your horse is really going to perform good but racing luck means so much you know what I mean. I don't feel really anything until he gets into the gate, that is my biggest concern is the first seventy yards leaving there. I think it's so important to any racehorse to get away from the gate without getting knockdown and impeding in any which way and getting behind horses where you can't have no place to go you know. We seen the best horse get beat many of the time with bad racing luck. All I do is hope he has a good trip then I feel really well," words spoken by California Chrome trainer Art Sherman. Can California Chrome get beat in the second leg of the triple crown? This is horse racing and anything is possible. These magnificent animals have a mind of their own, and if they are not up to running or not feeling well, then anything is possible. What if California Chrome decides not to show up on Saturday in the Preakness? What if the racing gods are playing with our minds one more time?
I have seen some fine Kentucky Derby winners who I thought were sure lock for the Preakness who came up empty when the jock press the go button on them. Last year Orb looked beautiful winning the Derby but in the Preakness when Rosario pushed the button he came up flat. Animal Kingdom appeared to be a monster in the Derby. His win was one of those powerful moves that leave you thinking about the possibilities, but in the Preakness, Shackleford got the jump and his speed allowed him to hold on. Another horse that I thought had it in the bag was Street Sense. The gorgeous colt trained by Carl Nafzger, corralled the Derby glory but was outdone in the Preakness by two time horse of the year Curlin.
Barbaro was another powerful winner of the Derby with Prado in the saddle. However, in the Preakness, the world saw an unfortunate part of this beautiful sport when the talented horse had to be pulled up due to an injury. Sadly, Barbaro's career would come to an end and the what if's loomed in the minds of many. There are other horses that won the Kentucky Derby whom I took a stand against in the Preakness because I just didn't buy their victories, and my play against was on point. Monarchos displayed a fast Derby victory but I wasn't impressed with his win. The eventual winner of the Preakness, Point Given was the better horse going into the Derby and he showed it on Preakness day. Giacomo and Super Saver are two other Derby winners that were less than impressive in winning the prestigious race. I wanted more after the race. It was like eating a delicious plate of your favorite Chinese foods, and then feeling a sense of immediate hunger. Super Saver finished eighth in the Preakness, and Giacomo finished twelfth behind the best three year old Afleet Alex. His win in the Preakness made me stand up in damp weather at Belmont to experience his beauty in the Belmont Stakes. He shone like a superstar on that Saturday In June.
California Chrome's Kentucky Derby victory was impressive. It wasn't one of those wins that came out of nowhere leaving you doubting his performance. He was considered by many to be the best three year old going in the Derby, and he rewarded his backers with a lovely win. I'm hoping that he displays a similar type of performance in the Preakness, giving us something to talk about for the few weeks leading to the Belmont Stakes. If he decides he doesn't want to play along with us, then I think Ride On Curlin will be rewarding Joel Rosario with the Preakness victory he should have had last year.
Ride On Curlin is the hard knocking son of Curlin whose heart is just like his daddy's. Ride On Curlin has made ten starts thus far, and in eight of them, he has produced in the money type of efforts. It has been said that his try in the Kentucky Derby was marred by a bad trip and trouble finding running room. I watched the Derby a few times and sure there were some problems for most runners, but that is the nature of a larger than normal size field. Some horses enjoyed a smooth sailing like California Chrome while others suffered from their running style and position in the race. Ride On Curlin should have been closer to the pack. He was dragged to the fence and cruised around the track in last place until Borel asked him. He came running but the pace and traffic was a double whammy for him on Derby day.
The Preakness is half the size of the Derby field and he will be ridden by Joel Rosario, all ingredients that could lead to some good home cooking for the connections of the horse. Ride On Curlin should sit just right off the speed in the race. Social Inclusion, Bayern, Pablo Del Monte, Ring weekend, General A Rod, Dynamaic Impact, and the Derby winner should all be in the first flight of horses when the initial call is made. Ride On Curlin, Kid Cruz, and the filly will be taking notes and strategizing from the back. I expect Victor to keep California Chrome on the outside of Social Inclusion and Bayern, while Pablo Del Monte, and Ring Weekend decide that they don't want to play anymore. Joel will shake the reins of Ride on Curlin a bit and get him closer to the game. Kid Cruz will start to gear up but he just isn't fast't enough. The filly just doesn't want this level of competition. Social Inclusion will hold his spot, Bayern will start to think of California sunshine and begin to back up, and the determined Dynamic Impact will try to fight but not today. General A Rod will last just because Castellano in my opinion is that good, but even the skills of Castellano will not be able to get the last juice out him. Social Inclusion will eventually bite the dust, and California Chrome will then take his spot. If The Chrome isn't up to his game, this is where Ride On Curlin will tackle him and it could be game, set, match, leaving us wondering how much longer before we see a triple crown winner.
My selfish desire is hoping for California Chrome to produce a win. I love this game and the beauty of it, and there is nothing more exciting than the prospect of a triple crown winner. Horse racing is dependent on whether or not the animals want to run. They don't talk but sometimes their body language can tell us all we need to know. They are like babies who can't communicate but you know when something isn't right with your young one. All signs point to The Chrome producing a better win in the Preakness than in the Derby, though his Derby win was impressive. If he blows a tire and doesn't ride the low rider to victory, then jump on Ride On Curlin and celebrate while waiting until next year for another triple crown opportunity. We have waited this long thus far, another year won't hurt.
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