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]

Honey, would you do a saddle club ping for me from my machine there about the race tomorrow?

[Trinity_Tx]

Yes! Thank you for the ping! I can't wait. : )

[nuconvert]

Thanks.....I'll be watching......

[HairOfTheDog]

Ping!

[Types_with_Fist]

2004 PREAKNESS STAKES CONTENDERS POST POSITIONS & ODDS

Mentioned above:
Rock Hard Ten

[elbucko]

63% of all the $2 tickets purchased on Secretariat to WIN the Belmont were never cashed..

I don't doubt it. If I had one of those tickets, I'd have it framed with the famous photo of Ron Turcotte looking back on his 31 length lead (wonder what he's thinking).

That picture is so moving, I have often seen it in various business meeting rooms to encourage employees to "Go like Secretariat". He was a Horse for the Ages.

[Types_with_Fist]

HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY MORNING LINE

1 LION HEART P. BIANCONE M. SMITH 3

2 BORREGO B. GREELY V. ESPINOZA 15

3 LITTLE MATTH MAN M. CIRESA R. MIGLIORE 50

4 THE CLIFF’S EDGE N. ZITO S. SELLERS 8

5 SONG OF THE SWORD J. PEDERSEN J. CHAVEZ 30

6 SIR SHACKLETON N. ZITO R. BEJARANO 30

7 SMARTY JONES J. SERVIS S. ELLIOTT 8-5

8 IMPERIALISM K. MULHALL K. DESORMEAUX 5

9 EDDINGTON M. HENNIG J. BAILEY 8

10 ROCK HARD TEN J. ORMAN G. STEVENS 6

11 WATER CANNON L. ALBERT R. FOGLESONGER 30

[elbucko]

I'll wager on:

1st. Smarty Jones.
2nd. Lion Heart.
3rd. Borrego.

[Types_with_Fist]

Lots of talk on Rock Hard Ten as well. I must have done something wrong with the html, as Rock Hard Ten's profile won't appear when clicked.

A couple of articles:

Will Smarty still be partying after Preakness?

Rock Hard Ten will spoil the party

I agree with your call, except for third. I like Imperialism or Rock Hard Ten there.

[Miss Marple]

I am going with Imperialism, who came from behind at the Derby, because he got bumped coming out of the starting gate. Otherwise, I think he could have won.

And I STILL want to hear "Imperilism wins." Hehehe.

[deadhead]

I'll wager on:
1st. Smarty Jones.
2nd. Lion Heart.
3rd. Borrego.

So funny, as you posted, I received an IM from my cousin with his picks, same as yours....

[Types_with_Fist]

I think it's important to note that Smarty is running to the RIGHT of the other contenders...:-)

[sathers]

[Types_with_Fist]

Thanks! Dangit! I forgot to ask: Is anybody at Pimlico today? We got some great photos from the Derby. If anyone is out there today, please post some photos!

[sathers]

Smarty J. nuzzles Butterscotch his stablemate..

[Miss Marple]

Hey, what TV channel is showing this, and at what time?

[Types_with_Fist]

NBC.....5pm Eastern, I believe.

[sathers]

[Types_with_Fist]

Thanks!...:-) I'm guessing you're there?

[deport]

N B C.... 4 pm CDT...... Pre-Race