Post positions were selected for the 131st Preakness on Wednesday afternoon in the ESPNzone in Baltimore, Maryland. As in the past, the horses were drawn at random for a selection order and their connections then picked their post positions. A field of only nine was drawn this year, with Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro set as the morning line favorite at even odds while his main rivals Brother Derek and Sweetnorthernsaint were set at 3-1 and 4-1 respectively. Take me to the entries now.
Dan Hendricks
Brother Derek's trainer Dan Hendricks said, "It's definitely more of a strategic race. It depends more on where everyone else is placed rather than where you end up. The Derby is a bit of a scramble because you just don't know what's going to happen. This should be a real clean run race where everyone gets a good shot. Sweetnorthernsaint had a lot of trouble, we had some trouble, so this should be a real good race. There's no bad draw with a small field and a long stretch like we have here." Asked about the possibility of an off track, he said, "No track has bothered him so far. He's worked on a wet track, he's run on 5 different tracks, I don't see that being a problem."
Barbaro's trainer Michael Matz initially tried to pick post 4 which was already taken, but took post 6 as his second choice. He said, "I wanted post position 5, but after discussing it with the team I found out they load the 1 and 5 first so that's why I went with the 6."
Be sure to click the link on each horse's name to view full info, stats, and a photo where available.
Top Kentucky Derby Contenders - my list of the top horses headed to the Derby with profiles for each with photos, stats, and link to more info like past performances and pedigree.
Analyzing the top 2013 Kentucky Derby contenders - My annual analysis of the top contenders to try and select a winner by matching each to the profile of a Kentucky Derby winner using many of the more popular angles and statistical trends. This year there were is a 3-way tie for the top spot: Goldencents, Normandy Invasion, and Overanalyze.
2013 Kentucky Derby And Oaks Security - New enhanced stricter rules will be enforced this year. Be sure to read the rules as many have changed and more things are banned. There will still be magnetic wand searches of all patrons and many things are no longer allowed. Check here to make sure you don't bring anything they will confiscate.
Review: Triple Crown Handicapper 2013 - by Jim Mazur. Includes lots of stats for all 3 races and explains how to use a system of statistically derived negative angles to eliminate the "bad" picks.
Review: Kentucky Derby Greatest Moments - Commemorative DVD from Churchill Downs with video from 27 different runnings along with interviews, photos, and historical info. Definitely recommended for any racing fan!
Review: Churchill Downs - America's Most Historic Racetrack by Kimberly Gatto. An entertaining and informative account of the history of the track and it's most famous race, the Kentucky Derby, with lots of photos. Definitely recommended.
Dan Hendricks