Blah Blah Blahg

Preakin' out

I have two things to say about the 134th running of the Preakness today.

1. That was the race of this year's triple crown.

2. I was wrong.

Let's start with #2. Count it, Sandy, cuz that's number 12. I was wrong about Mine that Bird. A no-name horse from a no-name trainer at 50-1 odds actually can run. I regret calling the Derby a fluke. I will say that Mine that Bird had two of the best jockeys out there helping him, but it wasn't all jockey. That horse went from dead last to second place in a race where that just does not happen. It's too short. You have to be a damned good horse and a great jockey to make that work. So, I apologize, Mine that Bird. You deserved that win and I'm almost sorry you didn't win the Preakness. Almost.

Now to #1. This was THE race of the Triple Crown. A filly won for the first time since 1924. The derby winner made an incredible run from dead-last to finish second. Nobody got hurt. I love the Preakness because there is no room for error though there are plenty of chances to make them. If the Preakness had been 1/7th of a mile longer it would have been a totally different race (and the filly would not have made it). I finally got to see Rachel Alexandra RUN and she did it well. Calvin Borel said in the post-race that she was really struggling with the track at Pimlico because it was too soft. I really hope they put her in the Belmont because I think she would be fast there and I want to see her race the boys again on a good day.

posted by Bagel @ 6:24 PM