May 15 - Tomorrow (Saturday May 15) race goers will descend in their thousands to Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore for the 134th running of the prestigious 1-3/16 mile $1 million Preakness Stakes (Gr 1), the second leg of the coveted U.S. Triple Crown of races, and undoubtedly Maryland's biggest horse race.

Going into last year's Preakness things were very different. Then, the name Big Brown was on everyone's lips, after the colt won the Kentucky Derby and was well-backed to do the same in the Preakness (which he did). Unfortunately, the Belmont Stakes (the third leg of the Triple Crown) remained beyond his grasp, where without his steroids he finished stone last.

Ahead of this year's Preakness Stakes, there are two horses on everyone's lips, but for different reasons. The first is Mine That Bird, trained by Bennie 'Chip' Woolley Jr, who stunned the horseracing world earlier this month by going into the Kentucky Derby as a 50-1 late entry, and then proceeded to win the race.

Nobody seemed more shocked at the surprise victory than Woolley Jr. and Mine That Bird's co-owner, Mark Allen, when the New Mexico gelding stormed down the stretch from last place, weaving skillfully through the scattered field with jockey Calvin Borel aboard, to cross the line a magnificent 6 3/4 lengths clear.

However, going into the Preakness, the Derby-winning jockey shook things by announcing that he would forego a ride on Mine That Bird for another much-talked about Preakness contender, Rachel Alexandra. Borel won the Kentucky Oaks aboard Rachel - his fifth straight win on the filly - shortly before the Derby.

As such, he feels that he has a better chance of winning the Preakness Stakes aboard Rachel Alexander for her new owner Jess Jackson and new trainer Steve Asmussen. However, it is a well-known fact that since 1980 only five horses that did not contest the Kentucky Derby have triumphed in the Preakness.

Here is the complete 2009 Preakness Stakes field with starting posts and most recent odds:

Rachel Alexandra - post 13 (9-5), Mine That Bird - post 2 (9-2), Friesan Fire - post 5 (10-1), Musket Man - post 3 (10-1), Papa Clem - post 7 (8-1), Flying Private - post 10 (50-1), Tone It Down - post 12 (50-1), Luv Gov - post 4 (50-1), Pioneerof The Nile - post 9 (5-1), General Quarters - post 8 (20-1), Big Drama - post 1 (10-1), Take the Points - post 11 (50-1) and Terrain - post 6 (30-1).

Other Articles:

Shocking Colt Aimed at Hydrogen Handicap - 05-19-09

Rachel Alexandra Wins 2009 Preakness Stakes - 05-18-09

Black Bear Island wins Dante Stakes - 05-17-09

Proudinsky and Kiss the Kid set for Dixie Stakes - 05-16-09

On Her Toes Wins K R A Fillies Guineas - 05-14-09

Izonit to Miss Doomben Cup Due to Rules - 05-13-09

Rachel Alexandra Preakness Run Is On - 05-12-09

Elusive Wave Wins Poule d'Essai des Pouliches - 05-11-09





2011/12/09 12:48:58 AM