The 137th running of the Preakness Stakes took place on May 19, 2012 at Pimlico race course in Baltimore, Maryland. This is the 2nd leg of the elusive Triple Crown. The race distance is 1 3/16 miles over a dirt surface. I’ll Have Another outdueled Bodemeister once again to give himself the opportunity to capture the triple crown on June 9, 2012 in the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park.
FINAL RESULTS
1st: I’ll Have Another
2nd: Bodemeister
3rd: Creative Cause
4th: Zetterholm
5th: Teeth of the Dog
6th: Optimizer
7th: Cozzetti
8th: Tiger Walk
9th: Daddy Nose Best
10th: Went the Day Well
11th: Pretension
Final Time: 1:55.94
The Preakness only allows 14 starters but for the first time there are two available spots for also eligibles. If more than 14 horses are entered, which it looks like there might be this year, the field is determined through the following steps:
- first seven starters are determined by graded stakes earnings
- the next four is earnings from non-restricted stakes
- next three including also-eligibles is by total purse earnings
Aside from I’ll Have Another, it looks like 7 of the top 12 finishers from the Kentucky Derby will make the trip to Pimlico.
POSSIBLE ENTRIES
BODEMEISTER – TRAINER BOB BAFFERT
One of the most impressive performances the Derby has ever seen, yet this colt still lost. Everyone, including myself, thought he would be finished after one mile due to his early fractions of 22.32, 45.39 and 1:09.80 for six furlongs. Those look more like six furlongs sprint fractions than 1 1/4 miles. The mere fact that he held on until the final strides is remarkable. Many people feel with the slightly shorter distance, that he will once again be the favorite. It’s tough to tell what will transpire. There are two ways to think about. 1. He will continue to improve as we’ve seen in his 5 races this year or 2. He spent too much energy in the Derby and will not have enough in the tank with just a 2 week turnaround.
LATEST WORKOUTS:
Churchill Downs – 4/29/12 – Dirt – 5F – 59.60 – Handily – Rank 2/10
Churchill Downs – 4/24/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.80 – Handily – Rank 3/23
Santa Anita – 4/8/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.40 – Handily – Rank 14/55
Santa Anita – 4/2/12 – Dirt – 6F – 1:10.40 – Handily – Rank 1/9
Santa Anita – 3/23/12 – Dirt – 4F – 46.80 – Handily – Rank 2/41
Santa Anita – 3/04/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.40 – Handily – Rank 18/66
Santa Anita – 2/26/12 – Dirt – 6F – 1:14.00 – Handily – Rank 6/12
Santa Anita – 2/06/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.60 – Handily – Rank 18/55
Santa Anita – 1/30/12 – Dirt – 5F – 59.00 – Handily – Rank 1/37
BRIMSTONE ISLAND – TRAINER WILLIAM CAMPBELL
This local horse was running in the claiming ranks earlier this season at Charles Town and Laurel Park. His last four races have been regular stakes races and he has yet to win. His last was a runner-up effort in the Canonero II Stakes at Pimlico. It will be a tough task for him to try and contend with the big boys.
LATEST WORKOUTS:
Bowie – 4/9/2012 – Dirt – 3F – 37.60 – Breezing
COZZETTI – TRAINER DALE ROMANS
His only win was the maiden back in November at Churchill Downs. He flew to Southern California and ran 8th in the CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park. He flew to Florida and ran 4th in the Kitten’s Joy Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Tough field that included Howe Great and Lucky Chappy (IRE). His last two races have certainly been improvements. He finished 3rd in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) and 4th in the Arkansas Derby (G1). It seems he is maturing at the right time. Can he improve enough to make a serious threat against the top colts in the country? That remains to be seen.
LATEST WORKOUTS:
Churchill Downs – 5/14/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 58.80 – Breezing – 1/10
Churchill Downs – 5/7/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.00 – Breezing – 5/19
Churchill Downs – 5/1/2012 – Dirt – 4F – 48.80 – Breezing – 5/26
Gulfstream Park – 4/7/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.80 – Handily – 4/12
Gulfstream Park – 3/31/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.70 – Handily – 2/13
Gulfstream Park – 3/24/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.20 – Breezing – 13/33
CREATIVE CAUSE – TRAINER MIKE HARRINGTON
It was the first time in nine races that the gray Mike Harrington trained colt finished out of the top three. His 5th place finish in the Kentucky Derby was a decent one, but the 1 1/4 miles was a little too long. He made a good move to get up to 3rd by mid-stretch, but tired and was passed by Went the Day Well near the wire. The 1 3/16 miles Preakness is slightly shorter, but the field won’t be as deep. He could be one to upset and get back to the winner’s circle.
LATEST WORKOUTS:
Churchill Downs – 4/30/12 – Dirt – 4F – 47.80 – Handily – 3/58
Hollywood Park – 4/24/12 – All Weather Track – 5F – 1:00.20 – Handily – Rank 5/35
Hollywood Park – 4/17/12 – All Weather Track – 5F – 1:01.20 – Handily – Rank 16/37
Hollywood Park – 4/3/12 – All Weather Track – 4F – 48.40 – Handily – Rank 5/14
Hollywood Park – 3/28/12 – All Weather Track – 6F – 1:12.80 – Handily – Rank 2/9
Hollywood Park – 3/20/12 – All Weather Track – 5F – 59.80 – Handily – Rank 1/29
Hollywood Park – 3/6/12 – All Weather Track – 4F – 46.40 – Handily – Rank 1/34
Hollywood Park – 2/28/12 – All Weather Track – 6F – 1:11.80 – Handily – Rank 1/1
DADDY NOSE BEST – TRAINER STEVEN ASMUSSEN
His 10th place finish is what happens quite often at the Derby when you race against 19 other horses. It is crowded! On the backstretch he was forced inside and then steadied around the far turn. He never had an opportunity to make a run. He ran very well in both the El Camino Real Derby (G3) at Golden Gate Fields on the all weather surface and Sunland Derby (G3) on dirt. It looks like 13 horses with go against this colt. A big field but certainly less than what he endured at the Derby. If he can stay clear of traffic, he is one to watch.
Latest Workouts:
Churchill Downs – 5/14/12 – Dirt – 4F – 53.00 – Handily – Rank 25/25
Churchill Downs – 4/23/12 – Dirt – 6F – 1:14.00 – Handily – Rank 1/2
Churchill Downs – 4/16/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.20 – Handily – Rank 1/20
Churchill Downs – 4/9/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:02.40 – Handily – Rank 14/15
Santa Anita – 3/20/12 – Dirt – 4F – 49.80 – Handily – Rank 40/51
Santa Anita – 3/11/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.20 – Handily – Rank 9/66
Santa Anita – 3/04/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:02.00 – Handily – Rank 53/66
Santa Anita – 2/13/12 – Dirt – 4F – 50.60 – Handily – Rank 25/31
Santa Anita – 2/06/12 – Dirt – 6F – 1:12.20 – Handily – Rank 2/10
Santa Anita – 1/30/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.60 – Handily – Rank 10/37
I’LL HAVE ANOTHER – TRAINER DOUG O’NEILL
Not much else to say about this colt. He has done everything asked of him, and more. He’s won three straight graded stakes this year; Kentucky Derby (G1), Santa Anita Derby (G1) and the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2) and has a terrific chance at taking the Preakness Stakes. His off the pace running style allows him to stay far enough away from any speed duel, but not far back that it takes him out of the race. In the Derby, he sat 6th-7th until the far turn, then started to make his turn. His move down the middle of the stretch was very impressive.
LATEST WORKOUTS:
BetFair Hollywood Park – 4/27/2012 – All Weather Track – 6F – 1:13.80 – Handily – 7/22
Hollywood Park – 4/19/2012 – All Weather Track – 6F – 1:13.60 – Handily – 5/18
Hollywood Park – 3/30/2012 – All Weather Track – 7F – 1:26.00 – Handily – 1/3
Hollywood Park – 3/21/2012 – All Weather Track – 7F – 1:26.20 – Handily – 1/1
Hollywood Park – 3/12/2012 – All Weather Track – 1M – 1:42.60 – Handily – 1/1
Santa Anita – 3/3/2012 – Dirt – 6F – 1:10.00 – Handily – 1/4
Hollywood Park – 2/23/2012 – All Weather Track – 4F – 48.60 – Handily – 5/19
ISN’T HE CLEVER – TRAINER HENRY DOMINGUEZ
This colt missed the Kentucky Derby by one spot. His career graded earnings of $191,333 put him at #21 with the defection of a few horses. This could be a blessing in disguise for the Henry Dominguez trained colt. After finishing on the board in each of his first seven races, he ran his worst race to date in the Arkansas Derby (G1). The 8th place finish beaten 18 1/2 lengths might have been a sign of fatigue. He was given a few weeks off after winning the Riley Allison Futurity on December 30 at his home track Sunland Park. His next race wasn’t until February 4th at Santa Anita in the Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes. Dominguez sent him back to Sunland Park to run in the Sunland Derby (G3) just 21 days later. He ran a strong 2nd behind Daddy Nose Best. He was shipped less than 3 weeks later to Oaklawn Park where he ran in the Arkansas Derby. He ran very flat. He’s been to five tracks in four states in less than 4 months. Missing the Derby could be a good thing. Depending on who shows up, he could be one to upset the 2012 Preakness Stakes field.
LATEST WORKOUTS:
Churchill Downs – 5/14/2012 – Dirt – 4F – 51.60 – Breezing – 24/25
Churchill Downs – 5/1/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:02.00 – Breezing – 11/19
Churchill Downs – 4/30/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:02.40 – Breezing – 14/28
Churchill Downs – 4/23/2012 – Dirt – 4F – 51.60 – Breezing – 37/46
Sunland Park – 4/7/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 59.60 – Handily – 1/13
Sunland Park – 3/17/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 59.40 – Handily – 1/13
Sunland Park – 3/10/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.00 – Breezing – 3/21
LIAISON – TRAINER BOB BAFFERT
The “other” forgotten Bob Baffert trained horse in the Derby ran especially well considering he hasn’t performed anywhere near what he did last Fall when he won the Real Quiet Stakes and CashCall Futurity in back to back races at Hollywood Park. After finishing 8th in the Robert B. Lewis, 4th in the San Felipe and 6th in the Santa Anita Derby, this Indian Charlie colt ran 6th after going 4 wide the entire race. Nothing stellar but certainly better than what most people expected considering the odds of 56/1. The 2nd longest odds on the board to Prospective who was at 57/1. He will still have to deal with horses that have beat him multiple times this year already, but the field won’t be as deep and the 6th placeDerby effort does give some kind of hope.
LATEST WORKOUTS:
Churchill Downs – 4/30/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.80 – Breezing – 7/28
Churchill Downs – 4/25/2012 – Dirt – 6F – 1:12.80 – Breezing – 1/1
Hollywood Park – 4/18/2012 – All Weather Track – 6F – 1:13.00 – Handily – 3/19
Santa Anita – 4/2/2012 – Dirt – 6F – 1:10.80 – Handily – 2/9
Hollywood Park – 3/27/2012 – All Weather Track – 6F – 1:11.20 – Handily – 2/6
Santa Anita – 3/20/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.60 – Handily – 21/39
Santa Anita – 3/5/2012 – Dirt – 4F – 47.00 – Handily - 6/30
Santa Anita – 2/29/2012 – Dirt – 6F – 1:13.80 – Handily – 4/12
OPTIMIZER – TRAINER D. WAYNE LUKAS
D. Wayne Lukas did not win his 5th Kentucky Derby. I’m sure it didn’t come as a surprise to anyone. His 11th place finish could have been better if he weren’t steadied a couple of times (far turn and top of the stretch), but that comes with the Derby and its 20 horse field. He does have a good late kick that “might” serve him well in the Preakness, but for a horse that has just one win in 10 tries, it’s hard to think all of a sudden he will pop up and win.
LATEST WORKOUTS:
Churchill Downs – 4/29/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.40 – Breezing – 4/10
Churchill Downs – 4/23/2012 – Dirt – 4F – 48.60 – Breezing – 6/46
Oaklawn Park – 4/9/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.20 – Breezing – 2/3
Oaklawn Park – 4/2/2012 – Dirt – 6F – 1:12.60 – Breezing – 1/3
Oaklawn Park – 3/26/2012 – Dirt – 4F – 49.00 – Breezing – 9/29
Oaklawn Park – 3/13/2012 – Dirt – 3F – 36.20 – Breezing – 1/6
PAYNTER – BOB BAFFERT
Just what every other trainer wanted to see was another Bob Baffert horse as a possible entrant to the Preakness. He only has three races under his belt but he has performed quite well. He broke his maiden first time out, then finished 4th in the Santa Anita Derby in just his second race. Baffert sent him to Churchill Downs to race in The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial Stakes (G3) three weeks later. He finished a respectable 2nd. He can run off the pace or come from behind. It’s good to have versatility as you never know what transpires early on in races such as the Preakness. You get the feeling this colt will be the 2012 version of Prayer for Relief running in the lesser known stakes races at smaller tracks, but with big purses (Super Derby, West Virginia Derby etc).
LATEST WORKOUTS:
Churchill Downs – 5/14/2012 – Dirt – 4F – 50.20 – Breezing – 17/25
Churchill Downs – 5/6/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.20 – Breezing – 2/6
Hollywood Park – 4/18/2012 – All Weather Track – 6F – 1:12.00 – Handily – 2/19
Hollywood Park – 4/1/2012 – All Weather Track – 7F – 1:25.20 – Handily – 1/1
Hollywood Park – 3/27/2012 – All Weather Track – 6F – 1:11.00 – Handily – 1/6
Hollywood Park – 3/21/2012 – All Weather Track – 6F – 1:12.00 – Handily 1/9
Hollywood Park – 3/15/2012 – All Weather Track – 4F – 48.80 – Handily 5/17
PRETENSION – TRAINER CHRISTOPHER GROVE
This Bluegrass Cat has won two stakes in his last four races; Sweet Envoy Stakes at Aqueduct and Canonero II Stakes at Pimlico. However, his two races in graded company were not stellar. In between those two wins, he finished 5th in the Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct and 9th in the Illinois Derby (G3) at Hawthorne. He likes to sit off the leaders and make his move as they turn for home. There will be some speed in the Preakness, so he will need to stay far enough back where he doesn’t get caught in quick early fractions. He will need his best race to date in order to challenge for the win.
LATEST WORKOUTS:
Bowie – 4/27/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.80 – Breezing – 1/8
Bowie – 3/30/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:02.40 – Breezing – 4/8
Bowie – 3/23/2012 – Dirt – 1M – 1:41.40 – Handily – 1/2
TIGER WALK – TRAINER IGNACIO CORREAS IV
Here is a colt who would have benefitted with the additional distance at the Derby. Since he didn’t qualify with enough earnings, he goes to the next best thing. The late running style of this Ignacio Correas trained colt has made it tough for him to catch up at the latter stages of races. He broke his maiden on November 3 at Laurel Park, then came back to win a month later in an Allowance Optional Claiming $50,000. Against the lesser competition he was able to catch up and surpass at the end. However, in his last three races, he was unsuccessful as the competition was tougher. He ran 3rd in the Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct, then 4th in the Gotham Stakes (G3) and Wood Memorial. The speed was decent at the beginning of the Wood, so really no excuse why he couldn’t catch up. The only reason would be he isn’t as good as Gemologist and Alpha. The Preakness shouldn’t be as powerful as the Derby, so it will be interesting to see if he can improve on his 3rd and 4th place finishes. He’s been training in Pimlico, so he will be more familiar with the track than others.
LATEST WORKOUTS:
Pimlico 5/13/2012 – Dirt – 4F – 47.60 – Breezing – 1/4
Pimlico 4/29/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.40 – Breezing – 2/2
Pimlico 4/21/2012 – Dirt – 4F – 48.00 – Breezing – 1/16
Pimlico 4/2/2012 – Dirt – 4F – 48.20 – Breezing – 2/7
Pimlico 3/26/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.60 – Breezing – 1/4
Pimlico 3/19/2012 – Dirt – 4F – 48.40 – Breezing – 1/5
TRINNIBERG – TRAINER BISNATH PARBOO
The speedster Trinniberg didn’t go to the front like we expected in the Kentucky Derby. Instead it was Bodemeister getting the lead and posting seriously fast fractions. Trinniberg was never in the race and finished a distant 17th. It is up in the air as of now if trainer Bisnath Parboo bothers to send him to Pimlico or be realistic about this colt and keep him in long sprints from now on. He’s won two stakes races already; Swale Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park and Bayshore Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct. Both at the seven furlongs distance.
LATEST WORKOUTS:
Calder – 4/23/2012 – Dirt – 6F – 1:15.40 – Breezing – 1/1
Aqueduct – 4/3/2012 – Dirt – 3F – 38.55 – Breezing – 3/7
Calder – 3/25/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.00 – Handily – 1/8
Calder – 3/3/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.00 – Handily – 4/29
WENT THE DAY WELL – TRAINER GRAHAM MOTION
This colt ran very well in the Derby. His run was too late to make a push for the win, but it was enough to get on the board for 4th. The Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes winner (G3) has showed a lot of promise since switching from Turf. The Spiral was on synthetic and the Derby on dirt. He is a versatile runner who can obviously run on all three surfaces. The Preakness is shorter distance than the Derby, so he will need to make his move a little sooner if he wants to challenge for the win. It’s not out of the question.
LATEST WORKOUTS:
Churchill Downs – 4/28/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01:00 – Breezing – Rank 6/53
Keeneland – 4/21/12 – Dirt – 6F – 1:14:40 – Breezing – Rank 2/3
Keeneland – 4/14/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:02:00 – Breezing – Rank 34/45
Palm Meadows Training Center – 2/25/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.92 – Breezing – Rank 6/11
Palm Meadows Training Center – 1/29/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:02.91 – Breezing – Rank 28/36
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