At this writing only a handful of colts had committed to run in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, but the group includes Kentucky Derby winner Justify.
Last week the odds on Justify dropped from 3-1 to 5-2 in the final moments of wagering. Hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of late money went on the horse’s nose, and Bob Baffert’s undefeated chestnut colt rewarded them with a convincing 2½-length win.
Justify will be the overwhelming favorite to win the second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown. At Pimlico, the fields are short and the talent is sparse in the race for the black-eyed Susans. Some handlers want to wait for the Belmont Stakes on June 9, others want to give their horses a longer rest.
Baffert’s willing to play the game and why not? All four of his previous Kentucky Derby winners have won the Preakness, and it will set the stage for his second Triple Crown triumph in three years.
TRIPLE CROWN NOTES: Three-time Kentucky Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel rode on the Churchill Downs undercard but not in the feature. The leathery Louisianan has ridden in the Derby a dozen times, but his only mount Saturday was aboard a 20-1 longshot named American Greatness. … Horse with the Runs: Gas Station Sushi ran third at Churchill on May 4, on the the same card with 2017 Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming who finished fifth in the Alysheba Stakes. … Gizmo Jones is trained by Norman McNight and owned by Bruno Schickedanzits — names more apt to be a disc jockey’s and pro wrestler’s. … In a case of industry cannibalism, TwinSpires.com shut TVG out of its entire Kentucky Derby card. TVG’s coverage emanated from empty Keeneland in the oh-so dreary rain and fog. … Radio host Bill Finley had this nugget about a 66-year-old jockey who’s still in the game: “Tony Black has been around for so long, he has ridden at 11 tracks that are no longer in business.” … Owner Dennis Albaugh named Free Drop Billy after a golfing friend. “I told him one time, ‘You keep taking those drops, I’m going to name a horse after you.’” … The numbers 4-3-9 delivered big time in Saturday’s Pat Day Mile when Funny Duck won at 39-1 odds, followed by New York Central (31-1) and Givemeaminit (21-1). The trifecta paid $17,138.50 and the superfecta (4-3-9-11) returned $74,919. … The Churchill crowd of 157,813 appeared to be unfazed by the record rainfall. NBC analyst Jerry Bailey said that riders are allowed to wear seven pairs of goggles. When one muddied up they’d fling it off for the next pair. “The most I wore was six, because after that the periperal vision is gone,” said Bailey. … NBC’s handicapper Eddie Olczyk nailed the 7-6-5 exacta and trifecta box which paid $69.60 and $282.80, respectively, on $2 wagers. … No wonder they look alike, Justify weighs 60 pounds more than Secretariat. “Layer after layer of muscle,” said Baffert. “He’s like a big linebacker.” … Asked about Justify’s temperment, Baffert said, “You can touch him for about 10 seconds and then he doesn’t want anything to do with you.” … The $7.80 return on a $2 win ticket was the third-lowest payout in 10 years.
UMASS NOTES: Garber’s Gorillas put their 11-game winning streak on the line today in a first round playoff match against third-seeded Yale in New Haven. The game starts at noon and will be broadcast on ESPNU. … Congrats to coach Kristi Stefanoni and her UMass softball team for an undefeated (21-0) season in the A-10. At this writing, the Minutewomen are advancing through the conference tournament bracket and striving for a berth in the NCAA tourney. … At their recent award banquet, UMass defenseman Mario Ferraro was named the 2017-18 MVP. “For those of you who watch us play on a regular basis, this will come as no surprise,” coach Greg Carvel wrote in his newsletter. “He’s a relentless competitor and he played every game.” … Ferraro, Cale Makar and Niko Hildenbrand were named this year’s captains. … Incoming freshman Anthony Del Gazo may be the sniper the team needs. “He’s one of only four USHL players to score 40 goals in a season (at Muskegon),” wrote Carvel, who added, “He has a good chance of being drafted.” … The hockey team’s annual golf outing is June 25 at Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston. Call director of hockey operations Brennen McHugh at 413-545-5175 for more info.