Preakness Stakes G1 Preview (Live on ATR 11.18pm)

#1 Tiger Walk – New shooter but soundly beaten last time out in the Wood Memorial although that form looks a bit suspect right now. 1st time blinkers would have to improve him massively just to play a hand here. Ramon Dominguez replaces Kent Desormeaux who failed a breathalyser.   

#2 Teeth Of The Dog – Another newcomer and did finish ahead of Tiger Walk in the Wood Memorial. Facing an uphill battle just to land a blow here.

#3 Pretension – Won at Pimlico last time out but this is a massive step up in class. Beaten out of sight in a rough house Illinois Derby at Hawthorne’s on his previous start.

#4 Zetterholm – Win machine for Dutrow but that was in State bred company back at Aqueduct.

#5 Went The Day Well – Lovely horse whose learning and maturing all the time. I like that about him.  Ran a fine race when 4th in the Derby when powering home courageously from well back to pass a lot of tired horses in the stretch.  Will find this smaller field easier to cope with and has the capability to step it up again. 

#6 Creative Cause – Finished 5th in the Derby after enduring a wide trip throughout…..possible too much use was made of him of then especially with the big move Rosario attempted before the turn back. Personally thinking he was beaten fair and square and besides even though he’s a Giant’s Causeway he’s one of the quirkiest horses in the 3yr division. My point is…even if he gets the perfect trip can he really get the job done? Maybe….Did beat Bodemeister in that San Raphael but that was only Bode’s 2nd lifetime start….been a lot of water under the bridge since then. 

#7 Bodemeister – Mind blowing fractions in the Derby. Impressive. Turned for home 4 lengths clear but the early speed took its toll late on….with no speed in the race its set up for him to jump out, get an easy time down the back stretch and then finish this lot off in the straight. Personally think the longer Mike Smith waits then the further he’ll win….it could be another Arkansas romp if he gets it perfect. Not worried by the turnaround time. To be honest it’s a non-factor for me. One minute he’s too inexperienced…next minute he’s had too much racing. If Baffert is running him again then that’s good enough of me.

#8 Daddy Nose Best – Soundly beaten in the Derby and no excuses. Can’t really see him playing a hand here. Nice horse though...one to follow in lesser races. Personally I would’ve  aimed him at the Secretariat on Arlington Million Day.

#9 I’ll Have Another – Tough, honest and plenty of heart.  Displayed his battling qualities when running down Creative Cause in the Santa Anita Derby and got the perfect trip in a master class ride from Gutierrez when doing exactly the same to Bodemeister in the Kentucky Derby last time out….although this time Bodemeister will have zero competition on the lead so will have plenty left for the finish. IHA has the superior stamina so it could shape up for a classic old school Preakness duel in the stretch!!!!  No one has mentioned this but I will….if he can win today then his style of racing will put the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown well within his reach.

#10 Optimizer – Another one beaten out of sight in the Derby. No chance here.

#11 Cozzetti – No prizes for guessing his sire but has 10 lengths to make up on Bodemeister from the Arkansas Derby.

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Another blockbuster edition of the Preakness awaits us tonight.

Mario Gutierrez produced a super star ride when gunning down Bodemeister deep in the stretch at Churchill Downs to win the Derby but this time around Bode will have zero competition for the lead and Mike Smith will be switched on to the need to have something in his locker once they turn back for home. Something has to give and my guess is that this time Bode gets away with it on the front end and win easily. Went The Day Well continues to improve and should run another fine race for Team Valor.

Prediction: Bodemeister to win with I’ll Have Another and Went The Day Well filling the places.

Good luck

ELG