Saturday, May 28, 2011
MLB Preview: Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves
Sunday, May 22, 2011
MLB Preview: Seattle Mariners vs. San Diego Padres
MLB Preview: Seattle Mariners vs. San Diego Padres
MLB Preview: Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Indians
MLB Preview: Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Indians
NBA Eastern Conference Finals Preview: Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat
NBA Eastern Conference Finals Preview: Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat
NHL Western Conference Finals Preview: Vancouver Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks
NHL Western Conference Finals Preview: Vancouver Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks
Saturday, May 21, 2011
MLB Preview: Texas Rangers vs. Philadelphia Phillies
MLB Preview: Texas Rangers vs. Philadelphia Phillies
MLB Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago White Sox
MLB Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago White Sox
NBA Western Conference Finals Preview: Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
NBA Western Conference Finals Preview: Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
NHL Eastern Conference Finals Preview: Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL Eastern Conference Finals Preview: Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
136th PREAKNESS STAKES
136th PREAKNESS STAKES (Odds Courtesy: Sportsbook.com) Saturday, May 21 – 6:18 p.m. EDT Pimlico Race Course – Balitmore, MD Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom was assigned post 11 as the 2-to-1 morning-line favorite for the Preakness Stakes at the post-position draw for the 136th running of the second jewel of the Triple Crown on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course. A full 14-horse field of 3-year-olds was entered for the 1 3/16-mile Preakness, which will be televised on NBC Sports, with post time set for 6:18 p.m. EDT. Other draws for the top Preakness contenders include Dialed In (9-2) in post 10, Mucho Macho Man (6-1) in post 9, and Shackleford (12-1) in post 5. Animal Kingdom won the May 7 Kentucky Derby by 2 3/4 lengths as a 20-to-1 shot. John Velazquez has the mount back aboard the colt for owner Team Valor International and trainer Graham Motion. Animal Kingdom will be trying to keep alive his hopes for the Triple Crown, which has not been swept since Affirmed did it in 1978. The third and final jewel, the Belmont Stakes, is set for June 11 in New York. ASTROLOGY – POST 1OWNER: Stonestreet Stables and George BoltonTRAINER: Steven AsmussenJOCKEY: Mike SmithRECORD: 7-3-2-2Latest Odds: 17-1 UPSIDE Classy and consistent, Astrology has never been out of the money in seven career starts at five tracks at five distances. Though he had sufficient earnings to make the Kentucky Derby field, his connections felt he wasn’t ready for the race and decided to use the Jerome as a bridge to the Preakness. In the Jerome, Astrology was close up in third down the backstretch, lost ground on the turn, and finished well enough to edge stablemateJustin Phillip for second. DOWNSIDE Sent to Southern California for the winter, Astrology got sick upon his arrival and was set back for about a month. Along with prospective starters Flashpoint, Mr. Commons and Sway Away, he is among four Preakness hopefuls yet to win beyond a mile. He was outfinished at odds-on in the 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Jockey Club and made the lead in the stretch of the 1 1/8-mile Sunland Park Derby before being run down by Twice the Appeal, who was subsequently a distant 10th in the Kentucky Derby. BOTTOM LINEAfter being favored in all five starts as a 2-year-old and going off in the 5-2 neighborhood in both of his starts this year, his price will be considerably higher in the Preakness. Anything better than a 15-1 price makes a wager worth considering. NORMAN ASBJORNSON – POST 2
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<>OWNER: Thomas G. McClay & Harry NyeTRAINER: Chris GroveJOCKEY: Julian PimentelRECORD: 7-2-1-0 Latest Odds: 30-1 UPSIDE Each race since his maiden victory last December has been faster than the one before, and he has managed this while taking some significant class jumps. Even if he was soundly beaten by Stay Thirsty, he was a very game second in the Gotham Stakes two starts back. In the process, he finished a length ahead of Toby’s Corner, despite having to steady in deep stretch. Toby’s Corner, of course, came right back to win the Wood Memorial, handing 2-year-old champion Uncle Mo the first defeat of his career.
DOWNSIDE He has not yet won a stakes race of any sort and has yet to demonstrate he can be anything more than only moderately competitive with some of the better members of his generation. His most effective running style to date has been being on or right with the early lead in slow-paced routes. He will likely face a much stronger pace scenario in the Preakness, which suggests he will have to come from off the pace. He has not yet shown that he can sustain a closing rally. BOTTOM LINE He would have to manage an unforeseen major breakthrough to win, but he wouldn’t be the worst bomber to throw in underneath in trifectas and supers if his odds stay around 30-1. KING CONGIE – POST 3OWNER: West Point ThoroughbredsTRAINER: Thomas AlbertraniJOCKEY: Robby AlbaradoRECORD: 6-2-0-2 Latest Odds: 24-1 UPSIDE King Congie crossed the wire first in three consecutive races, including two stakes, but was disqualified and placed third in the Hallandale Beach two starts ago. He lost a three-horse photo by a head last time, in the Grade 1 Blue Grass. If he is asked to do so, he can stay within comfortable striking distance of the leaders, but he can also be effective as a deep closer, as he was in the Blue Grass. DOWNSIDE It is a concern that he finished eighth on dirt at Saratoga in his debut, and that he was a well-beaten fourth on dirt at Belmont in his second start. But 14 1/4 of the 20 1/2 lengths he lost by at Saratoga belonged to Uncle Mo, in his maiden win. And he missed second behind Fort Hughes by only 5 1/2 lengths second time out. Dirt may not be his preferred surface. BOTTOM LINE Although he is a talented, improving horse, bettors will probably be very sensitive to the fact that his early dirt form was much less impressive than his subsequent turf and Polytrack form. If you believe he deserves the benefit of the doubt, you’ll be getting the right price around 20-1. FLASHPOINT – POST 4OWNER: Peachtree StableTRAINER: Richard Dutrow, Jr.JOCKEY: Cornelio VelasquezRECORD: 3-2-0-0 Latest Odds: 18-1 UPSIDEHis Hutcheson victory over the winter at Gulfstream ranks as one of the top efforts by a 3-year-old this year. Making the second start of his career, Flashpoint hounded favored Travelin Man on the lead, ran that one into defeat, and pulled away to score by 7 1/4 lengths in fast time. He enters the Preakness as a fresh horse, not having raced since April 3. DOWNSIDE He lost by eight lengths to Dialed In in the Florida Derby. He is also by a sprinter in Pomeroy and out of Two Punch Lil, a Two Punch mare whose best distance was six furlongs. Those bloodlines suggest his lungs could be on fire in the late stages of the 1 3/16-mile Preakness. He also has a new trainer for the Preakness, with Wesley Ward replacing Rick Dutrow, who is dealing with licensing issues in Kentucky and New York—it’s a tough task for anyone to start a horse for the first time in a race as demanding as the Preakness. BOTTOM LINE Those with faith will be offered a price, given the presence of other Preakness speed, the inexperience of Flashpoint and a shortage of stamina in his pedigree. But it’s hard to consider this horse a bargain, even at 20-1. SHACKLEFORD – POST 5OWNER: Michael Lauffer and Bill CubbedgeTRAINER: Dale RomansJOCKEY: Jesus CastanonRECORD: 6-2-1-0 Latest Odds: 15-1 UPSIDE Shackleford led a pack of 19 horses from the start until inside the eighth pole in the Kentucky Derby—more than 90 percent of the race—before tiring late to be fourth. That followed another fine front-running effort, albeit another losing one, when he set taxing fractions in the Florida Derby before being caught on the wire by Dialed In, the eventual Kentucky Derby favorite. He is hitting his peak, and his progress hasn’t been so dramatic that a bounce would seem probable.
DOWNSIDE With more speed in the Preakness, he is going to have to set or press quicker fractions, and, given his racing history, there is no taking back. All of his best races have come when he has either been on the lead or within a half-length of the leader.
BOTTOM LINE He closed at 23-1 in the 19-horse Derby, and his odds will probably be half that in the Preakness. As long as Derby winner Animal Kingdom doesn’t get hammered at the betting windows, Shackleford could represent value at 12-1. SWAY AWAY – POST 6OWNER: Batman StableTRAINER: Jeff BondeJOCKEY: Garrett GomezRECORD: 5-1-2-0 Latest Odds: 10-1 UPSIDE Sway Away was entered in the Kentucky Derby but excluded on graded earnings, and as a result is a fresh horse coming into the Preakness. He last raced in the Arkansas Derby, and showed improved speed in what was his first start in blinkers. He shows some strong recent works and will go Saturday for a hot barn, as Jeff Bonde has compiled a 5-for-13 record in graded stakes since Jan. 1. DOWNSIDE Sway Away’s biggest question mark might be distance, as he has never won beyond five furlongs. In the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby, he took the lead into the stretch after advancing four wide on the final turn, but was overtaken by three rivals in the late stages. Sway Away also lacks racing experience, with just five starts.
BOTTOM LINE Sway Away’s price in the Preakness could be driven down some by the fact that he will be reuniting with jockey Garrett Gomez. If he goes off in the 20-1 range, he merits a saver win bet and must also be used in the exotics. MIDNIGHT INTERLUDE – POST 7OWNER: Arnold ZetcherTRAINER: Bob BaffertJOCKEY: Martin GarciaRECORD: 5-2-1-1 Latest Odds: 15-1 UPSIDE Midnight Interlude hails from one of the hottest stables in the nation. Trainer Bob Baffert entered the middle of May second in earnings ($5.2 million), thanks to an outstanding 30 percent win rate and 12 graded stakes from 10 horses, including Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty. As for lightly raced (five starts) Midnight Interlude, his conspicuous upward pattern came to a screeching halt when he finished 16th in the Kentucky Derby. If that race somehow can be discounted, he fits on figures DOWNSIDE Midnight Interlude apparently was exposed when he finished in front of only three others in the Kentucky Derby. His Santa Anita Derby victory falls short under scrutiny. He was fully extended to win that slow-paced race, which was run without favorites Premier Pegasus and Jaycito. Midnight Interlude has yet to prove he can cope with legitimate fractions, which he is likely to face in the Preakness. The bottom line is that Midnight Interlude is not good enough, at least not yet. BOTTOM LINE A case might be made that Midnight Interlude is worth backing at 20-1 or higher purely on the hot-trainer angle. After all, Baffert won the Preakness a year ago with Lookin At Lucky, who also was off the board in the Derby. DANCE CITY – POST 8OWNER: Estate of Edward P. EvansTRAINER: Todd A. PletcherJOCKEY: Ramon DominguezRECORD: 4-2-1-1 Latest Odds: 15-1 UPSIDE This lightly raced Virginia-bred showed that he can handle an off track when he graduated over a sloppy/sealed strip at Gulfstream. Then, he took his show on the road to Oaklawn, where he was a prominent third in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, from which Nehro exited to finish second in the Kentucky Derby. His only other loss came when he ran second to future Wood Memorial runner-up Arthur’s Tale in his debut.
DOWNSIDE He has done all of his running on or near the front end, and there should be a lively pace in the Preakness, something that may soften him up. He has yet to win a stakes and is eligible for a second-level allowance. His accomplished trainer has won a Kentucky Derby and a Belmont, but not a Preakness. BOTTOM LINE Bettors shouldn’t accept anything less than 15-1 on him, unless some of the other speed doesn’t show up. Among those who are expected to run in the first flight, he might be the most likely to be in contention at the finish, so he should be used underneath in the trifecta and superfecta. MUCHO MACHO MAN – POST 9OWNER: Reeves Thoroughbred RacingTRAINER: Katherine RitvoJOCKEY: Rajiv MaraghRECORD: 8-2-3-2 Odds: 6-1 UPSIDE Although he was not in the same class as Animal Kingdom in the Kentucky Derby, Mucho Macho Man was definitely getting to runner-up Nehro at the finish line. The signs of late-stretch life he showed at Churchill Downs feel like a positive sign going forward, and his race pattern suggests a horse who is not all that likely to regress on a short turnaround. He is a very late foal who still has not reached the third anniversary of his birth. Long and tall, he may be a horse who continues improving through the summer. DOWNSIDE One potential takeaway from the Kentucky Derby is that Mucho Macho Man may just not be good enough to beat Animal Kingdom. And while he is a June foal, he has gotten in more starts than most—if not all—of the Preakness field. His strengths and limitations, therefore, may be more exposed than a horse like Animal Kingdom, who has gotten fewer racing opportunities. BOTTOM LINE Mucho Macho Man might be overlooked in the Preakness. His supporters could end up finding their horse at a bargain price, perhaps in the 10-1 range. DIALED IN – POST 10OWNER: Robert V. LaPentaTRAINER: Nicholas ZitoJOCKEY: Julien LeparouxRECORD: 5-3-1-0 Odds: 5-1 UPSIDE Dialed In was consistent, with three wins and a close second from his first four races. He was last early behind a slow pace in the Kentucky Derby, and gained 9 1/2 lengths while finishing eighth of 19. That wasn’t the race his supporters were hoping to see from him as the mild 5-1 favorite, but it wasn’t a terrible performance either, considering the disadvantageous pace scenario, and the ground loss a closer is likely to experience in a 19-horse field. He should be more effective if he encounters faster fractions in the Preakness. DOWNSIDE Dialed In enjoyed the benefit of a lively pace to chase in all three of his wins—his good performances in those races should have been discounted a bit. He disappointed as the 1-5 favorite in the race in which he finished second, unable to overcome a slow pace despite being the heavy favorite in a soft field. An unexpected defeat is always cause for concern, especially when the probable reason for it has the potential to occur again. That weakness was exposed a second time in the Kentucky Derby. BOTTOM LINE His eighth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, and the introduction of a number of new contenders in the Preakness, might combine to make his odds somewhere around the same 5-1 price in this smaller field. Factor in the chance of a faster pace, and his supporters should consider that to be a reasonable price. ANIMAL KINGDOM – POST 11OWNER: Team Valor InternationalTRAINER: H. Graham MotionJOCKEY: John VelazquezRECORD: 5-3-2-0 Sportsbook.com Latest Odds: 2-1 UPSIDE Animal Kingdom ran over his rivals at Churchill Downs after racing many lengths behind the slowest Derby pace in a quarter-century. With Flashpoint, Dance City and others expected to start, the Preakness pace is likely to be much quicker. Such front-runners as Shackleford should be coming back more quickly, which will help mitigate the shorter stretch run at Pimlico. Not that a short stretch beats Animal Kingdom. At Turfway, where the stretch run is brief, Animal Kingdom had taken the lead more than a furlong from the finish of the Spiral. He looks like a horse with a ton of stamina who is a real athlete.
DOWNSIDE Animal Kingdom started at Churchill after a six-week break and made only one other start in 2011, and now has only 13 days to bounce back from one the most testing races of the season. Given his limited racing foundation, skeptics might wonder if his Derby effort will lead to a bounce. BOTTOM LINE While double-digit Derby odds have evaporated, he may still offer value at 4-1 or even 7-2, but not at 3-1 or 5-2. The word “fluke” is certain to be employed. ISN’T HE PERFECT – POST 12 OWNER: Kharag StablesTRAINER: Doodnauth ShivmangalJOCKEY: UndecidedRECORD: 12-2-0-1 Latest Odds: 35-1 UPSIDE His fifth-place finishes in the Grade 1 Wood and Grade 2 Jerome show he is not completely out of his element in these tougher races; he was in the thick of things in mid-stretch in the Wood, running in second before weakening. His sire, Pleasantly Perfect, was a top-class router who won multiple Grade 1 races at 1 ¼ miles, including the Breeders’ Cup Classic. His dam, Reciclada, was a Grade 2 route winner, meaning he should handle this longer trip. DOWNSIDE Improving Beyer Speed Figures are all well and good, but when you’ve peaked at 84 you’re still a ways away from the type of performance it will take to win the Preakness. The average winning Beyer for the Preakness is around 109, so he will have to run a race he has yet to come close to. While he was not disgraced in the Wood and Jerome, he still hasn’t won a stakes and now dives into even deeper water, facing the Kentucky Derby winner and other proven Grade 1 horses. BOTTOM LINE Stranger things have happened, but he has his work cut out for him, and it figures to be reflected in his odds. After all, he was 65-1 in the Wood and 39-1 in the Jerome, and this spot figures to be tougher. He is likely to be around 50-1. CONCEALED IDENTITY – POST 13OWNER: Linda Gaudet & Morris BaileyTRAINER: Edmond GaudetJOCKEY: Sheldon RussellRECORD: 8-4-0-0 Latest Odds: 20-1 UPSIDE He may well have turned the corner with the addition of more ground. He found stakes foes a bit too much to handle to start the year going six furlongs, seven furlongs, and a mile, but then came a drop and move to 1 1/16 miles at Pimlico and he flourished, winning smartly. They tossed him into the May 7 Federico Tesio, and he backed it up, winning impressively again. It doesn’t hurt in the least that his sire, Smarty Jones, won the Preakness in dazzling fashion in 2004. DOWNSIDE He moves into uncharted waters class-wise. While the Tesio win was nice, now he’s facing the Kentucky Derby winner and some other proven Grade 1 performers. He has also got some work to do, as he just hasn’t run fast enough yet. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 86 for his Tesio win. While that’s nice and represents a career-topper, Animal Kingdom just earned a 103 Beyer for his Kentucky Derby victory, and the average winning Beyer for the Preakness is 109. BOTTOM LINE With the Kentucky Derby winner, the Kentucky Derby third, and beaten favorite in the Kentucky Derby—as well as some well-fancied runners who did not go in the Derby—he figures to get pushed to the sidelines by players. Odds in the vicinity of 30-1 seem in prospect. MR. COMMONS – POST 14OWNER: St. George Farm Racing LLCTRAINER: John ShirreffsJOCKEY: Victor EspinozaRECORD: 4-2-0-1Latest Odds: 30-1 UPSIDE The pressing style of Mr. Commons generally leads to a comfortable trip. He improved rapidly this winter in California and continued his improving pattern by finishing third against a watered-down field in the Santa Anita Derby. He should be positioned within striking range of the pacesetters and in front of the deep closers. Having skipped the Kentucky Derby, Mr. Commons will arrive in Baltimore fresh and ready for his first start in six weeks. John Shirreffs’s record with longshot 3-year-olds in Grade 1’s suggests he should not be taken lightly: Giacomo ($102.60) won the 2005 Kentucky Derby and Tiago ($60.60) won the 2007 Santa Anita Derby. DOWNSIDE It is doubtful Mr. Commons is good enough to compete with the nation’s top main-track 3-year-olds. Neither start he made on dirt this winter indicates otherwise. His narrow win Feb. 26 in a slow-early/fast-late allowance was over an undistinguished field; the Santa Anita Derby was exposed when one-two finishers Midnight Interlude and Comma to the Top returned to finish 16th and 19th in the Kentucky Derby. Mr. Commons is best-suited for grass. His turf pedigree—by Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Artie Schiller—and slow-early/fast-late running style suggest his future will be on something other than dirt.
BOTTOM LINE Anything lower than 25-1 would be an underlay; anything higher might tempt bettors on the trainer angle. Based on traditional handicapping, however, Mr. Commons is not good enough to win the Preakness at any price.
136th PREAKNESS STAKES
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