The Preakness -- 129 [LIVE THREAD]

Maryland Jockey Club ^

[Types_with_Fist]

I checked but didn't see another thread on this. And, no. It's not "too soon." Us horse racing fans are... well... fanatical.

I'm excited, as it looks like my Kentucky Derby pick (the winnah), Smarty Jones, is headed in with a good chance.

Here is the main link to the Maryland Jockey Club. Lots of good info can be found there.

They also have a special Preakness Page. That's where you can find an archive of the daily stories, on the horses, up through today.

Here's today's news:

BALTIMORE, 5-14-04 --- SIR SHACKLETON/THE CLIFF’S EDGE – Trainer Nick Zito made it official Friday morning when he announced that The Cliff’s Edge would be scratched from the Preakness... More.

SMARTY JONES – The undefeated son of Elusive Quality returned from Pimlico’s track Friday morning at 7:07, (the horse’s lucky number) and trainer John Servis was all smiles.

“He went to the starting gate and acted very professionally,” Servis said. “During his morning gallop his pony bounced into him a couple of times which stirred him up a little, but that’s all right. He will be ready for a good fight tomorrow.”

With the defection of The Cliff’s Edge, the Kentucky Derby winner will break from Post 6 as the 8-5 morning line favorite.

“I can’t see any excuses for him,” Servis said. “I am really happy with how he’s entering the race.

“The most important thing now is that he’s a happy horse. For anyone to beat him they will really have to run. While I haven’t let him do that much the last two weeks, I have seen enough to know he’s ready to roll.

“He has run hard all year long. And I expect the same tomorrow because he has shown me the one thing only great horses have, and that’s heart. Ever since the Southwest Stakes (at Oaklawn Park Feb. 28), he has shown me a whole lot of heart.”

The chestnut colt, owned by Patricia and Roy Chapman, is only the second Pennsylvania-bred to win the Kentucky Derby (Lil E. Tee won in 1992) and will be attempting to become the sixth Keystone State representative to capture the Preakness.

Jockey Stewart Elliott has been aboard for all seven victories and will once again be aboard Smarty Jones.

Come one, come all! Handicappers, prognosticators, children of all ages!...

[HairOfTheDog]

Maybe... maybe not. These young horses bounce back like teenagers after a good night's rest. They don't feel the way ~I~ would feel the day after a hard workout.

[apackof2]

We didn't take it to classy places.

Exactly why there are very few classy places anymore, "society" has become "tolerant" of most any kind of behavior

[prisoner6]

Just checking in a few minutes before the race. I'm from PA so I gotta go with Smarty...FWIW I alos kinda like Rock Hard Ten.

prisoner6

[Trinity_Tx]

"Imperialism just lost a shoe!"

LOL Yeah and the "blacksmith" is putting on a new one (according to the reporter). lol

[HairOfTheDog]

They change shoes to fit track conditions so often I am surprised they have enough foot left to ever hold a shoe.

[prisoner6]

Heck...my Kidz a re big...well 2 outta 3...and I STILL GOT NO money to go to the races...sigh.

prisoner6

[spectre]

Aw, what the heck. I'll take #11 Water Cannon for win, place or show..

Go little horsey..

[nuconvert]

ThreatMatrix was at the Derby and posted the pix.
Don't know where he is today....

[Types_with_Fist]

Riders Up!

[nuconvert]

I just heard....gotta go watch. See you after the race......

[fatima]

Go Smarty Jones,bring it

[HairOfTheDog]

Pretty cush duty for the navy barbershop quartet!

[Types_with_Fist]

They sounded pretty good.

[apackof2]

They sounded great

RUN SMARTY JONES RUN!

[Trinity_Tx]

I'm going to say, based partly on sentiment and hopes, partly on objective thoughts...

1. Smarty Jones (I want a Triple Crown contender, I love the story, and he's a great horse who wins.)

2. Imperialism - Love him and his whole story, and he doesn't get the credit he deserves. He beat Lion Heart before, and had a bad break at the derby.

3 Lion Heart - He could easily beat Imp. It's a shorter track... But I hope Imp beats him.

But I wont be at all surprised to see Rock Hard Ten be a spoiler.

[fatima]

Go Smart Jones,our hometown horse.

[alisasny]

Getting close. I love when they load the gates and the last one gets in and BOOM.


GO SMARTY : )

[Types_with_Fist]

Go Smarty!

[toomanygrasshoppers]

I like the fact that LionHeart has the #1 post position. Just a hunch.

[toomanygrasshoppers]

I went with Tapit in the Derby. Needless to say, bad decision. Did you ever go to Trinity Meadows in Parker Co., Texas when it was open?? Just wondering b/c of your name.