Kentucky Derby Runners Do Well in the Preakness
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Greg Melikov
May 13, 2004
Only one 3-year-old that skipped the Kentucky Derby since 1984 has captured the Preakness. During that time seven who won the Run for the Roses wore Black-eyed Susans at Pimlico two weeks later.
That bodes well for six colts, including the top three finishers, who also are the designated early choices:
Smarty Jones, 8-5, breaks from post 7. The undefeated colt leads a field of 11. He goes for his eighth in a row with Stewart Elliott aboard. If Saturday's forecast of rain materializes, the odds should drop since his convincing May 1 victory at 1ΒΌ miles on a sloppy track.
Lion Heart, 3-1, post 1. That assures Mike Smith will gun the Derby runner-up from the start and the race should develop into a catch-me-if-you-can contest like Louisville at the shorter distance of 1 3/16 miles.
Imperialism, 5-1, post 8. He was bumped in traffic along the backstretch and raced far back in the 18-horse field. Kent Desormeaux got the third-place finisher in gear on the far turn and he was the fastest at the end.
The other Derby runners are:
The Cliff's Edge, 8-1, post 4. Trainer Nick Zito hopes his main chance shrugs off sore feet that resulted from losing both front shoes with Shane Sellers in the saddle after moving from 17th at the mile marker to fifth. The right foot was the worst, he said.
Borrego, 15-1, post 2, who finished 10th and Song of the Sword, 30-1, post 5, who ran 11th, showed brief early speed, but were out of contention after six furlongs. Victor Espinoza rides Borrego and Jorge Chavez will be aboard the latter.
Two of the five that missed the Derby fell just short of the required graded stakes earnings to make the 20-horse field. Unluckily, they couldn't get in when two scratches were later announced because they occurred after the April 28 draw.
Eddington, 8-1, post 8, ran third in the Wood Memorial. Jerry Bailey, who lost his Derby mount when Wimbledon was scratched, climbs back aboard. Bailey rode Red Bullet to the Preakness winner's circle after the horse sidestepped the 2000 Derby.
Rock Hard Ten, 6-1, post 10, was disqualified from second to third in the Santa Anita Derby. He only has three starts, none as a 2-year-old. Gary Stevens flies in from France for the mount.
Rounding out the field: Sir Shakleton, 30-1, Rafael Bejarano, post 6, Zito's other entry who took the Derby Trial; Water Cannon, 30-1, Ryan Fogelsonger, post 11; and Little Matth Man, 50-1, Richard Migliore, post 3.
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