The record 121,309 fans in attendance at Pimlico for the Preakness Stakes (G1) were treated to a marathon 13-race card with the first race off at 10:45am. Overcast skies and intermittent showers were the order of the day with temperatures near 70.
A field of 11 older horses went 1 1/8 miles on the turf in the $300,000 Dixie Stakes (G2). Imagining was sent off as the 2-1 favorite off an allowance win at keeneland. In to challenge him included 3-1 second choice Optimizer, second in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1), and 5-1 third choice Swift Warrior, winner of the Tampa Bay Stakes (G3).
Jockey Gary Stevens sent 24-1 Skyring to the lead first time by and he set fractions of 24.45, 48.32, and 1:11.98 over the firm course while stalked by 35-1 Humble and Hungry and Optimizer. Entering the lane, Skyring opened up a 2 length lead through 1 mile in 1:35.79. 11-2 fourth choice Willcox Inn rallied from 6th but Skyring held him off by 1/2 a length in 1:47.87. It was a head back to Optimizer third, while favorite Imagining was 10th.
Full results chart from DRF
Skyring in the winner's circle. Winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas said, "A lot of that goes unnoticed sometimes, when a horse has an affinity for a surface like that. And the turf was playing quick. It was obvious you could get out there and maybe hang on. When he's on his game, he's very, very good."
The $150,000 Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes (G3) featured a field of 5 older fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. 11-1 longest shot Daydreamin Gracie went to the lead and set fractions of 25.77 and 51.42 before 5-2 third choice Moon Philly took over on the far turn through 3/4 in 1:15.70. At the 3/16 pole, 8-5 favorite Summer Applause, who stalked the pace in second the whole way, took over and drew off to win by 2 lengths over 9-2 Sea Island in 1:46.54 over the fast track. It was another 3 lengths back to 2-1 second choice Brushed by a Star third.
Full results chart from DRF
Summer Applause heads to the winner's circle. Winning jockey John Velazquez said, "There wasn't much speed in the race. I wanted to stay reasonably close to the lead. I asked her for run in the last 1/4 mile and she responded well. We knew it was going to be a slow pace coming into the race. When I needed to move with her she gave me the run I asked for." Trainer Chad Brown added, " She was spotting everyone six pounds. I was worried about that when I was handicapping the race the last couple days. To really pull away like that and to run such a strong race against some nice fillies, giving weight, I'm really proud of her."
A field of 8 older fillies and mares contested the $150,000 Gallorette Handicap (G3) over 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Jockey Mike Smith sent 6-1 Pianist to the lead and she set fractions of 23.34, 46.65, and 1:10.54 over the firm course while stalked by 16-1 Silver Screamer. 9-1 Hard Not to Like, 3rd early, tried to close but Pianist drew away to a 2 3/4 length win in 1:40.60. It was another 1 1/4 lenths back to 8-1 Appealing Cat third, while 11-10 favorite Samitar was fourth.
Full results chart from DRF
Pianist heads to the winner's circle. Winning jockey Mike Smith said, "I planned to put her on the lead unless something happened at the break like yesterday with Emollient (who stumbled out of the gate) in the Black-Eyed Susan. She jumped away from the gate very well. Chad (Brown, trainer) told me before the race that we could win this if we did something a little unusual. I guess a 46-second half was a little unusual. This is the first time I've ridden for Chad, and I plan to ride another five years, so I hope to do this again sometime."
The $150,000 Maryland Sprint Handicap (G3) featured a field of 8 older horses sprinting 6 furlongs on the main track. 10-1 Manito set a fast pace of 22.84 and 45.77 while as many as 2 1/2 lengths in front of 37-1 longest shot Warrioroftheroses and 2-1 favorite Sage Valley. Into the stretch, Sage Valley took over from the tiring pacesetter, and drew off to win by 2 1/4 lengths over late-running 5-2 second choice Hardened Wildcat in 1:10.51. It was another 3 1/2 lengths back to 3-1 third choice Laurie's Rocket third.
Full results chart from DRF
Sage Valley in the winner's circle. Winning jockey John Velazquez said, "We had a perfect post position and we had a perfect trip. I thought there was plenty of speed in the race and if I could sit just off the lead and make a run down the lane that would be perfect. He responded just the way a horse should." Trainer Rudy Rodriguez added, "The race came up pretty tough. I was looking for a race in New York, but I'm glad I came to this one. He's had some issues so we have to take our time with him and he'll perform."
The $100,000 Chick Lang Stakes featured a field of 9 three-year-olds sprinting 6 furlongs on the main track. 3-1 second choice Zee Bros went to the lead and set fractions of 22.65 and 45.16 while stalked by 10-1 Bobcat Jim. Entering the lane, Zee Bros extended his lead to 4 1/2 lengths through 5/8 in 57.26, then finished up under wraps 2 1/4 lengths ahead in 1:10.72. It was a neck back to 9-1 Brave Dave third, while 5-2 favorite Undfrafted was fifth.
Full results chart from DRF
Zee Bros heads to the winner's circle. Winning trainer Bob Baffert said, "We've always been really high on this horse. His Derby Trial (6th place), he went real fast, the track was off and tiring. He got a lot out of it and we expected him to run a big race today. He didn't like the 2-hole. I said, ‘Don't worry, he's doing awesome.‘ When they are doing awesome you have to run them." Jockey Martin Garcia added, "He took me all the way throughout the race. I was really confident and when I asked, he took off."
A field of 10 three-year-olds went 1 mile on the turf in the $100,000 James W. Murphy Stakes. 5-2 second choice Redwood Kitten went to the lead immediately and set fractions of 24.26, 48.74, and 1:11.19 while stalked by 52-1 Honour the Vow and 11-2 third choice Shining Copper. Redwood Kitten continued to lead into the stretch and was all out to hold off the closing Shining Copper by a length in 1:35.17. It was a long 3 lengths back to 2-1 favorite Notacatbutallama third.
Full results chart from DRF
Redwood Kitten in the winner's circle. Winning trainer Wesley Ward said, "I liked how the race unfolded. He got away with an easy first quarter and then it was just a sprint home. This horse is a lot better with a little bit more spacing between his races. That's why we didn't run two weeks ago at Churchill in the American Turf. He has really blossomed in the last couple weeks. I'll talk it over with the owners (Ken and Sarah Ramsey) about his next race. I know they're big on running at Churchill Downs so maybe there'll be something Stephen Foster weekend."
Triple Crown quick links:
Oxbow upsets in the Preakness - Oxbow led the entire way in the Preakness Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Pimlico with Itsmyluckyday second and Mylute third. Heavy favorite Orb made a mild move to finish fourth. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
Preakness undercard stakes results - There were 7 other stakes on the card, highlighted by the Dixie Stakes (G2) won by Skyring and the Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes (G3) won by Summer Applause. Get the results, charts, and photos for 6 of the races here.
Fiftyshadesofhay wins the Black-Eyed Susan - Fiftyshadesofhay just got up to win the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) on Friday at Pimlico by a neck over Marathon Lady with favorite Emollient 6th. On the undercard, Last Gunfighter won the Pimlico Special (G3). Get the results, charts, and photos here.
Analyzing the Preakness Stakes Contenders for 2013 - My annual analysis using popular angles and statistical trends to see who best matches the profile of a Preakness winner. The big surprise is that Kentucky Derby winner Orb is not in the top group!
Orb wins the Kentucky Derby - Orb was far back early but took the lead in the stretch and drew off to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) by 2 1/2 lengths over longshot Golden Soul and Revolutionary. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
More Kentucky Derby Photos - More photos from the day including more of Orb, the trophy, the roses, Martina McBride, and lots of mud.
Kentucky Derby undercard stakes results - There were 5 other stakes on Derby day including the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) won by 2012 Horse of the Year Wise Dan and the Humana Distaff Stakes (G1) won by Aubby K. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 5 races here.
Princess of Sylmar upsets in the Kentucky Oaks - She rallied from far back to win the Kentucky Oaks by a half length over Beholder and Unlimited Budget, while favorite Dreaming of Julia was fourth. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Kentucky Oaks undercard stakes results - There were 5 other stakes on Oaks day including the La Troienne Stakes (G2) won by Authenticity and the Alysheba Stakes (G3) won by Take Charge Indy. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 5 races here.
Wednesday Kentucky Derby Workout Photos - Photos and comments for 18 Derby horses, everyone on the grounds except the one in quarantine, and 6 Oaks fillies from this morning on the track.
Kentucky Oaks Entries - A field of 11 fillies will go, with Gulfstream Oaks winner Dreaming of Julia favorite at 3-1 from post 8. Get the post positions, odds, and free past performances here.
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.
A field of 11 older horses went 1 1/8 miles on the turf in the $300,000 Dixie Stakes (G2). Imagining was sent off as the 2-1 favorite off an allowance win at keeneland. In to challenge him included 3-1 second choice Optimizer, second in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1), and 5-1 third choice Swift Warrior, winner of the Tampa Bay Stakes (G3).
