Graveyard of Dreams

Admittedly due to my love of true stamina tests, the Belmont Stakes is, hands-down, myfavorite of the Triple Crown races, closely followed by the Kentucky Derby withall its pageantry and then finally the Preakness. No offense to Pimlico or allmy Maryland friends, but, irrationally I suppose, I always associate it with disappointment,as in all of my favorite Derby winners (and thus potential Triple Crown champions)that failed to capture the second jewel beginning with Foolish Pleasure, GenuineRisk (damn you, AngelCordero), Winning Colors…thelist goes on. I’m not a fan of I’ll HaveAnother, mostly due to his disgraceful excuse for a trainer (if thisisn’t enough to convince you, then consider thesefolks with more recent concrete examples). Thus, I won’t be toodisappointed when he loses on Saturday. I like Bodemeister, but actually think a new shooter will be even better,hopefully Tiger Walk or Cozzetti. I’ll have more thoughts onSaturday’s undercard later.
Today, it’s Black-Eyed Susan day, as well as the FemaleJockey Challenge at Pimlico, featuring top-notch riders Rosie Napravnik,Emma-Jayne Wilson, Forest Boyce, Vicky Baze, Rosemary Homeister Jr., TammiPiermarini and Greta Kuntzweiler. Apparently pin-up girl Chantal Sutherland istoo busy riding two maiden claimers at Hollywood Park to make the trip east,but she won’t be missed. The ladies earn points for finishing in the top 4placings; for those interested, the scoring races are the second, third, fifthand seventh races (and they will be riding against men in each race).
Race 8 is the Miss Preakness Stakes, featuring the awesome,undefeated Agave Kiss. She workednicely over the Pimlico track this week and, with her speed, will likely be hardto beat. Cutting back in distance from her third-place finish in the Grade 3Comely against Kentucky Oaks runner-up Broadway’s Alibi, Sagamore Farm’s Millionreasonswhy is my sentimentalpick, but think Singlet could also bedangerous cutting back; she ran well early with Broadway’s Alibi. And what the hellis D. Wayne Lukas thinking putting Colonial Empress in here? Seriously,unless you’re just trying to get more black-type to retire her as early aspossible, why not drop her down into maiden company and build up herconfidence?
In the Jim McKay Turf Sprint, last year’s winnerMaryland-bred 6-year-old Ben’s Catreturns, but he’s all the way out in post 11—ugh! Another senior citizen, Ju Jitsu Jax breaks right inside him,but appears in a bit better form. From a much-better post position, Zeb looks promising, having run thirdlast-out in the Grade 3 Shakertown at Keeneland—he’s also won with RosieNapravnik aboard before, so I’m hoping to get a good price on him. Cactus Son also looks suited to thedistance and comes out of a strong Grade 3 Turf Sprint at Churchill.
I handicapped the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes for ThoroFan; you can check out my thoughts here. Looking for a price, I landed on Welcome Guest, but I’m afraid she’ll bethe “wise guy” pick for too many and thus not be as lucrative a choice as shecould be. Hoping Glinda The Goodmight add a little more to my exotics payout, but also think In Lingerie is good play.
In the Very One Stakes, Inspiredand Well Deserved both come out ofthe Giant’s Causeway turf sprint at Keeneland, and will thus likely garner muchfavoritism. That said, I’m intrigued by the 3-year-olds, Jazzy Idea and especially SensibleLady who failed horribly against Agave Kiss in the Trevose, but looks tolike turf better.
And, boy, didn’t the Pimlico Special come up strong? Alternation is riding a three-race winstreak, all at Oaklawn, but I’m thinking YawannaTwist may run big here. Sentimentally though, I’d love to see Endorsement win—he’s been a long-timefavorite ever since I cashed on his Sunland Derby win, and it’s always good tosee a once-injured horse make it back to the track. Considering Martin Garciarode him when he broke his maiden, the jockey switch doesn’t bother me, and he’scertainly bred to get the distance. HymnBook really disappointed last out in the Oaklawn Handicap, but he should beflying late for a piece; despite his fast workouts, I’m still not sold on Mission Impazible although he does gaina nice weight advantage against the others.
While he never ran at Pimlico, well-traveled Mambo Meister willbe remembered with an 8-furlong turf overnight stakes at Calder on May 26.Another gallant warrior, 9-year-old PresiousPassion returns on Saturday, in the Elkwood Stakes at Monmouth—hard tobelieve he’s been retired now since January 2011! Here’s to a safe journey, oldboy.