Preakness 2002


Between 1984 and 2001, only one 3-year-old who skipped the Kentucky Derby won the Preakness. For those 18 years, we're talking 5 ½ percent winners, a dismal result.

The only blemish on that record was in 2000 when Red Bullet earned the Black-Eyed Susans.

Saturday's 127th edition of the Triple Crown's second leg at Pimlico attracted only four of the 18 horses who ran in the Kentucky Derby:

War Emblem, who won the Run for the Roses; Proud Citizen, the runner-up; Medaglia d'Oro, fourth; and the very lukewarm favorite Harlan's Holiday, seventh.

Last year, I wrote:

". . . in a span of four years during the early '80s, three horses who passed on the Kentucky Derby captured the Preakness: Codex, '80; Aloma's Ruler, '82; and Deputed Testimony, '83.

"Since the 11th and last Triple Crown champ in '78, Affirmed, eight of 22 Derby winners scored in the Preakness. (In '77, so did the recently departed Triple Crown champ Seattle Slew.)

"During the '90s, I picked and bet on several winners of the Preakness who disappointed in the Derby: Hansel, '91, who also won the Belmont; Timber Country, '95, the only Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner to take a Triple Crown race; and Louis Quatorze, '96, who led at every call of the 1 3/16 miles."

My hunch bet last year, Congaree, finished third. Monarchos, the Derby winner, ran sixth. Point Given, my pick for third, bounced back from fifth in the Derby to take the Preakness and Belmont en route to Horse of the Year honors.

Since '84, five Derby winners captured the Preakness, including Charismatic in '99. That bodes well for War Emblem.

Since '84, many losing Derby contenders won the Preakness, including Louis Quatorze, the last of 26 winners to wire the field. That bodes well for Proud Citizen, Medalgia d'Oro and Harlan's Holiday.

Since '84, Pat Day has ridden five winners, one less than record-holder Eddie Arcaro. That bodes well for Booklet.

Since '84, two trainers have sent out seven winners: D. Wayne Lukas, 4 (and a fifth in '80), and Bob Baffert, 3. That bodes well for War Emblem; also Proud Citizen and Time Limit.

Wednesday's post position draw didn't change my mind because my top three selections will break from the middle of the gate. Here's who I like, in order, and why:

Medaglia d'Oro -- Bumped at the start of the Derby, ninth and eighth at the first calls, the son of El Prado posted fractions second best in heavy traffic, began moving on the turn, then was bumped in the stretch, but still managed to finish fourth. He will be closer, stalking the front-runners, and can win with a clean trip; Jerry Bailey should keep him out of trouble.
The copyright of the article Preakness 2002 in Horse Racing is owned by Greg Melikov. Permission to republish Preakness 2002 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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