Hot List Graded Stakes Review: Preakness Stakes
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Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
By Shawn Rychling
As he stood calmly in gate awaiting the start of the 139th Preakness Stakes, California Chrome was the heavy 1-2 favorite of the betting public. That fact seemed to belie the controversy that had swirled around ‘Chrome’ in the two weeks since his convincing Kentucky Derby victory.
The so-called experts of horse racing were quick to criticize California Chrome’s Derby win as ‘visually’ impressive, but lacking in real substance. He got a perfect trip at Churchill Downs stalking a slow pace before making his trademark winning move near the quarter pole. However, the race came back as one of the slowest Kentucky Derbys in history and the winner, it was concluded, was the best of a poor group of 3-year-olds.
So when the gate opened in Baltimore, California Chrome was a horse with something to prove and he did just that. He got excellent early position with his tactical speed, stalking a faster pace than the one he faced in Louisville. He moved to the leaders on the far turn and showed his customary turn of foot at the quarter pole pulling from the pack and then holding off the late-running Ride on Curlin to win by 1 ½ lengths. It was the sixth consecutive victory for California Chrome and sets him up for a chance at the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes on June 7 at Belmont Park.
The Derby and Preakness winner is the classic ‘push-button’ horse who will do whatever he is asked. That was evident in the Preakness not only with his tactical speed, but also when jockey Victor Espinoza was able to guide him to the outside of the frontrunners prior to the first turn. California Chrome earns an ‘A’ for his race which was a notch or two better than his Derby win. Whether he can beat a tougher field in three weeks remains to be seen.
Ride on Curlin also earns an ‘A’ for the Preakness as he rebounded from a curious ride in the Derby to rally smartly for second money. Unfortunately for him he was stuck with a far outside post again and jockey Joel Rosario had to take back when the two horses to his immediate inside were sent to the lead from the gate. Had he started further inside he may have been in better position to win. Ride on Curlin is bred for distance and will be heard from in the Belmont if he can get better early position.
No other horses earned a letter either on their performance alone or from late betting action. But two others to watch are Social Inclusion, who ran with the leader for about 7 ½ furlongs before giving way, and Ring Weekend who was hammered trying to leave the gate. Both bear watching, but perhaps not in a race as strong as the Belmont figures to be.