I must admit, I missed the Kentucky Derby completely! I never even considered Animal Kingdom. Shame on me!
So, that behind me, Ill take a look at todays Preakness Stakes (about an hour away as I write this).
Animal Kingdom is indeed the favorite right now at 5/2 (very betable). AK has a great final kick which showed in the Kentucky Derby and is helpful in this shorter trek. The trainer: Graham Motion has a perfect record in that hes never been even charged with violations (so he set up lots of security around AK because someone would love to inject him with performance enhancing drugs to show that he and the spokesman (Barry Irwin) for the owner 20-man group: Team Valor are dirty). Motion is unconventional (only 4 races before the KD, and never on dirt and none in 6 weeks prior to that race). John Velasquez on board again thanks to a freak accident that sidelined his regular rider on Kentucky Derby day.
Second in the betting (7/2): Dialed In has more to lose ($6.1M) and has a better final time than AK (second only to Secretariat).
Third in the current betting is well deserved: Mucho Macho Man is third in the betting at 9/2. Hes the biggest horse (17hands) in the race today. Hes 8/9 top 3 finishers. Kathy Ritvo is the hottie that wants to be the first woman to win a triple crown race? And oh yeah shes a heart transplant patient. So Im really hoping she pulls this off today!
Shackleford wants a slow trip, but must go farther and doesnt seem to be able to do it.
Midnight Interlude has some chance with his new jockey (Garcia), and will run closer to the pace today since running back hurt him in the Kentucky Derby.
Of course, there are 14 horses running, and in a crowd, anything can happen. But on paper, I have to go with the favorite today Kentucky Derby winner: Animal Kingdom MMM is my longshot winner. And my Exacta selection. Put AK on top of MMM to everyone for the Trifecta and for kicks, MMM/AK/Everyone.
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