Saturday May 19, 2001

The 126th Preakness
All carry 126-11th Race @ Pimlico

2. Mr. John...Nakatani/Walden...Was all over the place in the Lexington. That pinball effort earned him an 8th place disqualification from 2nd. However, he looks like he could be quite formidable and at quite a nice price here. Middle move in Lexington was awesome. Came home in 24 and change in the Gotham. I've got to use him at his likely price. Nice spacing for this race.

3. Griffinite...Bridgmohan/Pedersen...Doesn't look to want the distance, at least at this stage. Faded in the Remsen last year and faded in the Lexington. I don't like his chances against these.

4. A P Valentine...Espinoza/Zito...Has had every opportunity to break through and be a monster this year and it just hasn't happened. The breeding on this horse is so regal, you just about have to think at some point he will be a BIG star. But he never really recovered after the shins bucking last fall in Louisville. Showed signs of life on a crazy-fast strip at Hialeah. Non-factor on the Keeneland speedway. But two weeks ago in Louisville he was roughed up pretty good and came out swinging, passing who he needed to pass through the lane after being impeded at least 2 and more likely 3 times. Maybe it's time for him to shine.

5. Congaree...Bailey/Baffert...I've got serious doubts that there's anything in the tank here except fumes. No two year-old foundation and he just ran two monsters. Now he wheels back with two weeks rest. Not with my money. If he runs another BIGgie, he'll be quite a stud down the road. Bailey doesn't hurt, but at last check is still  unable to lift 1200 pound animal and carry it any meaningful distance.

6. Richly Blended...Wilson/Perkins...Likely to be hunkered down on the front waiting for all of the BIG boys to take a shot at him. He's got speed for sure, but only two-turn attempt was met with solid defeat. He will be an early factor, but tent will be erected for camp at the 1/8 pole.

7. Monarchos...Chavez/Ward...Rumor has it that annual Lexington Country Club Derby Party goers pounded this one down to below track odds on Derby Day. It seems Ward is a member there and must have let the cat out of the bag. Yesterday he said this one is jumping out of his skin. Is it possible that Ward was just toying with everyone else and instructed Chavez to hold him up in the Wood? I've got nothing but respect at this point and could kick myself for letting yet another Florida Derby winner go off at double-digit odds and passing him by like he was invisible. Impressive in the Florida Derby. Very impressive in Louisville. If he scores the crabcakes, it could be a tense three week buildup in Gotham.

8. Percy Hope...Court/Reinstedler...Comes in here a winner of his last two and looks to be circling back to his best effort at Gulfstream in January. He should like the distance as well and will probably be another with quite a nice price. Sharp work here last week. Would not surprise me at all if he makes tri, or better!

9. Bay Eagle...Dominguez/Motion...Last was best and it was 10 lengths too slow.

10. Dollar Bill...Day/Stewart...As in phony as one that has a 3 on it? I just don't think this guy has the will to win against this company. He finds trouble wherever it lurks and you knew he'd be where it was in Louisville. Should give a better showing here but doubt it will be good enough to make a difference.

11. Point Given...Stevens/Baffert...Much like Jackie Aprile Jr., I think I'll give him a pass on his last. It was revealed this week that he had a rash on his left hind heel before the Derby. (No one said a word before-hand of course) So I think he'll be right back to his old self and should be in contention late in the lane. Of course it could be that his long and brilliant development is through and that now others are catching up to him. I'll be using him once again, though a little bit softer this time.

          Monarchos, still lightly raced, has really impressed me this year. He'll need good position early to get over towards the inside. If he gets decent trip with expected pace, he could run right by them all again. Ward appears to have him scoped to the second. A win here, and 12 furlongs will suit just fine.

          Yes, I'll use Point Given on top again here too. This time he'll have to share top billing with the Derby winner.

         Mr. John  will add some pizzazz to the tri which, if both of those others score, it'll need.

         AP Valentine and Percy Hope will fill out the bottom of my tickets.

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1. Monarchos

2. Point Given

3. Mr. John

5. Percy Hope

Good luck everyone!