Bozos Handicap the Last Preakness at the Dump

Non- Derby Runners Take Center Stage

The Dump, Pimlico Race Course in shithole Baltimore is hopefully and most likely hosting its last Preakness Stakes. The run-down facility is in such disrepair that it makes no sense to even try to put some lipstick on this pig. Sinking millions into this dilapidated facility is a waste and the smart thing to do is to move the race to Laurel Race Course, closer to DC in Maryland and take a wrecking ball to Old Hilltop.
The Bozos ventured to the Preakness with Hol’ Baby in 1991 to see Hansel win as we boxed Strike the Gold, Best Pal and Honor Grades. The place was a hole in the wall then. The only thing going on there is an Animal House Fraternity Party in the infield.

As far as this year’s 1 3/16 mile Preakness, set ridiculously only two weeks after the Derby, it features nine newcomers to the Triple Crown trail, with only four of 19 Derby runners returning. It’s the first time since 1951 that none of the top four Derby finishers are coming to Baltimore. Twenty, thirty, forty years ago, horses ran every week or two. Now the top quality horses in training are racing every four or five weeks. The Horse Racing Bigshots need to wake up and move the Preakness to Laurel and run it on Memorial Day, then move the Belmont to the end of June or July 4th. So, apart from the Derby winner, which there really isn’t one this year, that’s the main reason the trainers and owners don’t race the Derby horses in the Preakness. The other reason is the abominable manner in which the Kentucky Derby was run and adjudicated.

The obvious best horse in the Derby, Maximum Security, was disqualified for bumping at the 5/16th pole on a muddy track in a race with 19 horses. He was ahead and no other horse was going to beat him, as he wired the field easily, especially the two that claimed foul. Yes, War of Will had a path taken away from him as Maximum Security rounded the turn hydroplaning. Yes, War of Will bumped Long Range Toddy. Both of these horses were just about done at the time and were not going to win. Country House, on the outside of all of them, benefited from the two foul claims and was moved up from a non-threatening second to the winner’s spot. The Stewards did not put up the Inquiry sign, meaning after initial review of the race, they saw the usual bumping and had no reason to change the results. Only after War of Will’s jockey got back to his trainer and talked it over, did they decide to object. Then Long Range Toddy chimed in. Twenty-two minutes later, they changed to order of the race. There was no intent on the jockey’s part to impede any other horse, not that intent is a requirement, but with the loud crowd, the track conditions, and the size of the field, it appeared the jockey did his best to keep a young, frazzled speed horse on track. As BSB mentioned in a previous article, over-officiating has now appeared in horse racing. Never before has a Derby horse been taken down. The Stewards didn’t even stick around to share their thoughts on the ruling based on the “video evidence”. And to make things worse, to justify their ruling, they suspended Maximum Security’s jockey 15 days!

As far as the Preakness, which is now relegated to a much lesser status, we feel the horses who came out of that sloppy, tiring race only two weeks ago, will be a little worse for wear. So we’re going to try to find a fresher colt to steal the second leg of the Crown.
It’s a shame we don’t have Maximum Security here or at least Country House. Hopefully the Belmont will shape up to be more interesting.

1. War of Will-Trainer: Mark Casse Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione Odds: 4-1
He got stuck with post #1 again, like the Derby, which should hurt him. Prior to being cut off by Maximum Security, he ran a pretty clean trip. After a terrible Louisiana Derby he won the Risen Star over Country House. He’ll be the probable second favorite but my feeling is he’ll be tired and won’t fire his best effort.

2. Bourbon War-Trainer: M. Hennig Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Odds: 12-1
With hot jock Irad Ortiz riding, he’ll be bet down from 12-1. He ran poorly in the Florida Derby, but before that closed really well in the Fountain of Youth to finish 2nd behind Code of Honor, who was placed 2nd in the Derby. At 6-1 or better, he’s fresh and his closing style could set up a nice late run.

3. Warrior’s Charge-Trainer: Brad Cox Jockey: Javier Castellano Odds: 12-1 – Arkansas invader won his last two each by 6 lengths and looks like the early speed in the race. He’s not raced with this quality yet, so the question is, can his speed hold on or will he be caught in the stretch? I have a feeling he’ll fold after a mile or so.

4. Improbable-Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Mike Smith Odds: 5-2
Baffert/ Smith favorite. Bob has won seven of these so it will not be surprising if the horse with the best Derby finish (5th) in the field wins this. He is the class, but again, he’s probably spent from his spring campaign. He still hasn’t won in 2019 and I’m not sure how much I like him at low odds. I will not be surprised if he wins or places in this, so my Derby pick gets another chance.

5. Owendale-Trainer: Brad Cox Jockey: Florent Geroux Odds: 10-1
He’s a strong closer who won the Lexington and he came back with a very high speed figure (98). I could see him rallying down the stretch for a nice price.

6. Market King-Trainer: Lukas Jockey: Jon Court Odds: 30-1
Former Raider punter is only here to party in the infield.

7. Alwaysmining-Trainer: Kelly Rubley Jockey: Daniel Centeno Odds: 8-1
Local horse from Laurel has won six straight including the Tesio which used to be a major local prep for this. He has not run in a graded stakes race but beat the 7th place horse in the Derby (Win Win Win). Might be able to hold on to hit the board.

8. Signalman-Trainer: K McPeek Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Odds: 30-1 He ran a good third in the Blue Grass and was a decent 2 year-old. I don’t think he’ll hold up here.

9. Bodexpress- Trainer: Delgado Jockey: John Velazquez Odds: 20-1 He’s another tired Derby horse who still hasn’t won a race.

10. Everfast-Trainer: Dale Romans Jockey: Joel Rosario Odds: 50-1
He ran 2nd in the Holy Bull but hasn’t done much since. I have to pass on him.

11. Laughing Fox-Trainer: S. Asmussen Jockey: R. Santana Jr. Odds: 20-1 The Fox was outclassed when he tried to run with this tier of colts so I’m going to look elsewhere to make money.

12. Anothertwistafate-Trainer: B. Wright Jockey: Jose Ortiz Odds: 6-1
He’s a viable contender with seconds in bioth the Lexington and the Sunland Derby. He can rate and close and I’m looking for him to hit the tote board at a good price.

13. Win Win Win-Trainer: M. Trombetta Jockey: J. Pimentel Odds: 15-1
This colt who was drawn on the far outside finished 10th in the Derby. Previously, he’s been competitive and should be mowing them down in the stretch.

Wagers:

First Mr. Rosen:
He likes the Ortiz Brothers as they always finish well when they ride in the same race.

He’s going with #1 War of Will from the rail with #2 Bourbon War, #5 Owendale and #12 Anothertwistafate in his triple box.

He’s also going to key a triple with #2 on top: 2/ 1-5-8-12/ 1-5-8-12

We’re going to take a shot at #2 Bourbon War (which I lost by the way) to Win.

The speed should come from the #3 Warrior’s charge and the #7 Alwaysmining. #4 Improbable and #12 Anothertwistafate will be sitting mid-pack stalking. Bourbon War, #5 Owendale and #13 Win Win Win should be closing late stretch.

#2 Bourbon War to Win

Exacta and Triple Boxes: 2-4-5-12 and 2-4-5-13

Saturday NBC 6:48 pm.

-HB