//Preakness Stakes Second Gem of the Triple Crown
Preakness Stakes

Preakness Stakes Second Gem of the Triple Crown

Preakness Stakes

A Group I thoroughbred horse race in the United States, and it is also the second race of the Triple Crown equestrian of that country.

It takes place at Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore City, Maryland, on the third Saturday of May.

This event has been running since 1873.

The distance from 1925 to the present is 1-3/16 miles (1.91 km). The prize pool is $1.5 million.

Justify - Preakness Stakes (Gr.1)

Preakness Stakes

Unlike the Kentucky Derby, the first gem of the Triple Crown, fewer horses run in this one.

It is very strange that a Derby winner decides not to race in the Preakness, so it always turns out to be a race of great emotions.

And the public is often very excited thinking that the same winner at Churchill Downs Racecourse can keep the Triple Crown.

There is only one chance of a Triple Crown winner when the horses take the starting positions at Pimlico.

A special case was in the year 2019, where the horse Country House, won the Kentucky Derby controversially…

But even so, Country House did not run the Preakness Stakes. The news that was given on May 7, 2019.

Likewise, the winner of the Derby, Maximum Security, who was later disqualified, did not run in this joust either.

This took away some interest from the Preakness Stakes, as no horse could win the triple crown.

Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes

The Triple Crown and the Preakness Stakes, the example of the year 2022

The same thing happened this year 2022. Last-minute surrogate jockey and horses Sonny Leon alongside Rich Strikes won the 2022 Kentucky Derby.

Because it was a last-minute addition, the win was surprising.

The most surprising thing was that the rich strikes coach decided not to run in the Preakness Stakes, so he closed the door to the triple crown of 2022.

This decision was because the strength of Rich Strikes is long runs. The same thing that helped him win the Kentucky Derby would have made it difficult for him to win the Preakness Stakes.

That is why it is said that the Preakness Stakes separates the triple crowned from the winners of the Kentucky Derby.

The Preakness Stakes 2023, an opportunity for Javier Castellano and Mage

Venezuelan jockey Javier Castellano won the Kentucky Derby 2023, alongside the horse Mage. A win in this race could put him on the road to the American triple crown.

This is why this race will be widely followed by Venezuelan fans of horse riding.

The rider who is in the hall of fame of horse riding aims to close with a flourish a spectacular professional career. All eyes will be on May 20 on Javier Castellano and Mage.

Javier Castellano with Mage winning the Kentucky Derby
Javier Castellano with Mage winning the Kentucky Derby

Curiosities of the Preakness Stakes

Next, we will show you some of the curiosities of the Preakness Stakes that make it unique. Without further ado, let’s get started.

“Black-eyed” Susan in the Preakness Stakes

One of the curiosities of the Preakness Stakes is that the second race of the American triple crown is that it has an official drink called Black-Eyed Susan (Black-eyed Susan or Black-eyed Susan). Some of the details about the drink are:

  • The cocktail is one of the traditions associated with the second race of the triple crown.
  • Black-Eyed Susan is a mixture of vodka and orange juice mainly. A little whiskey and/or rum is also added. Some versions of the cocktail also include pineapple juice and/or currant liqueur.
  • The glass in which the cocktail is served is garnished with a slice of orange and a cherry.
  • The cocktail is served in a special glass to commemorate the preakness stakes.
  • This cocktail is named after the Black-Eyed Susan flower, the official flower of the state of Maryland where the event takes place.
  • The flower that gives the cocktail its name is also used to decorate the Preakness Stakes.
Black-Eyed Susan - The Official Drink of the Preakness Stakes
Black-Eyed Susan – The Official Drink of the Preakness Stakes

Preakness Stakes trophy

The Preakness Stakes trophy presented to the owner of the winning Preakness Stakes horse is a solid silver replica of the original cup designed by English jeweler Tiffany & Co. The original trophy was first presented in 1860 and awarded in 1961.

In that year (1961) the Civil War broke out. This caused the original trophy to be buried to prevent theft and ended up melted down as war ammunition. The Preakness Stakes trophy was recovered in 1866.

It is 91 centimeters tall and weighs more than 13 kilos. It is made of silver, which together with its historical value makes it invaluable. The trophy is estimated to be worth $4 million.

The trophy design features a silver base with intricate decoration, and on top is a tall cup with ornate handles. On the front of the cup is the figure of a rider on horseback in action, representing the excitement and dexterity of the competition.

The trophy given to the winner is a replica that is one-third the size and is estimated to be worth about $40,000.

Other interesting facts

The Preakness Stakes is shorter than the Kentucky Derby.

And it generally doesn’t have as many horses as Chucrchill Downs, as only 14 participate in this race.

It is rare that all the spaces are occupied in the Preakness, since the average number of horses that run this race is 10.

In 2018 only eight horses participated.

Some of the riders from the 2019 Kentucky Derby returned for the Preakness Stakes, although the winner of the 145th edition was not there. Nor was the disqualified Maximun Security.

But there were some new runners who didn’t race in Louisville.

Expectations 2019:

Code of Honor and Tacitus were expected to enter the Preakness Stakes following their performances at Churchill Downs. However, both horses did not end up participating in the race.

Like the horses Anothertwistafate and Alwaysmining, both of which were not in the Kentucky Derby, but were considered worth considering for the Preakness Stakes.

However, the forecasts did not get it right. Anothertwistafate and Alwaysmining came in 10th and 11th place respectively.

Did you know?

The Preakeness Stakes is not a race to bet on unfavorite horses.

Unlike the Kentucky Derby in which people bet on anyone because out of nowhere they can change plans.

An example of this is what happened in 2019. All bets revolved around Omaha Beach, but when it was withdrawn they bet on Game Winner.

Among other horses trained by Bob Bafert. However, the one least likely to win won.

And Country House that came second ended up being awarded, after the judges approved the lack of Maximum Security.

While in the second gem of the Triple Crown the horses with probabilities greater than 24-1 are the ones who have won this fair the least.

For example, the Master Derby horse with 23-1 odds won the Preakness in 1975.

Over the years it has been discovered that in the Preakness Stakes the horse with the best position in betting is the one with the best chance of winning it.

More Victories by Rider

Jockey Wins_
  Year
Eddie Arcaro61941, 1948, 1950, 1951, 1955, 1957
Pat Day51985, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1996
George Barbee31873, 1876, 1883
Bill Hartack31956, 1964, 1969
Lloyd Hughes31875, 1879, 1880
Gary Stevens31997, 2001, 2013
Victor Espinoza32002, 2014, 2015
Kent Desormeaux31998, 2002, 2016

The two jockeys with the most wins currently are Victor Espinoza and Kent Desoemeaux, with three wins each.

The all-time all-time record remains held by Eddie Arcaro, with a total of six wins in the Preakness Stakes.

While Mike Smith, a member of the Hall of Fame, gets his first Preakness Stakes aboard Justify, equine that won the Triple Crown.

Now it is time to know the biggest victories of the coaches in this fair.

More Wins by Coach

 Coach Wins_ Year
R. Wyndham Walden71875, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1888
Bob Baffert71997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2015, 2018
D. Wayne Lukas61980, 1985, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2013
Thomas J. Healey51901, 1922, 1923, 1926, 1929
Jim Fitzsimmons41930, 1935, 1955, 1957
Jimmy Jones41947, 1948, 1956, 1958

 

In this line, Bob Baffert ties the record of victories by coach after his triumph in 2018 with Justify.

Baffert is also joining the select group of those who have coached two Triple Crown winners following his 2015 outright victory with American Pharoah.

“Baffert entered three horses in the Kentucky Derby, and definitely has interests in the Preakness Stakes,” reports the portal https://www.betcris.com/

The start of the horses in the Preakness Stakes
The start of the horses in the Preakness Stakes

The data:

Besides Justify, the other undefeated horse to have won the Triple Crown is Seattle Slew in 1977.

 

Victory of Justify

Justify was the favorite before the start of the race, and won by mid-distance on his way to the Triple Crown.

Originally purchased for $500,000, this equine manages to amass a fortune of $3.9 million in profits during his career.

After his retirement, as a result of an injury, rider Mike Smith said he felt disillusioned because he still saw potential to continue.

“Like everyone else, I’m disappointed that he won’t run again, but I’m thankful he’s been in my life,” Smith told CNN.

“At no point when I rode it did I feel like I was going to be defeated. There was no horse that could with him… there was no horse that could reach him. It’s really a gift from God,” the jockey said.

Justify a triple crowned
Justify a triple crowned

Valuable stallion

According to a study by Forbes magazine, in 2018, as a stallion Justify could generate an initial fee of $ 100,000.

This would give it a value of up to $60 million based on breeding fees alone if it covered 150 mares per four-year breeding season.

And even as their young perform in racing, the value can be higher.

Justify

Who went to the Preakness 2019?

Without Maximum Security, Country House and other copies such as Code Honor, were expected to be presented, although they were ultimately not presented.

There is then a small group that ran the Debry and is ready for the second race.

Although with the absence of Country House there will be no horse to complete the feat and stay with the Triple Crown.

Despite this, some analysts saw horses as Improbable, as the favorite in Churchill Downs,

So this could go favored again in Pimlico based on his strong youthful form and his game, runner-up effort in the Arkansas Derby (G1) two starts again.

Finally it was War of Will, who had finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby, who took first place.

 

Improbable, the conditions and how the forecasts were

Improbable is conditioned by seven-time Preakness-winning coach Bob Baffert, a fact that will attract the support of bettors.

So far, the only other Derby starters under consideration for the Preakness are War of Will, which finished seventh with a troubled trip.

Win Win Win Win, who connected to finish ninth; and Bodexpress, which faded at 13 after being squeezed out of contention on the farthest lap.

There is currently a group of newcomers to the Triple Crown scene who will likely outnumber derby veterans in the Preakness.

We’re talking about three horses that have won free moorings to the Preakness by virtue of winning races across the country.

They are: Alwaysmining, an easy winner of Federico Tesio betting at Laurel Park; Anothertwistafate, dominant winner of the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields; and Laughing Fox, who sparked a determined rally to win the Oaklawn Invitational Stakes on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.

Rounding out the current list of Preakness candidates is Owendale, who unleashed a sharp rally to defeat Anothertwistafate in the Lexington Stakes.

With five weeks off until the Preakness, this colt has improved a lot and could have a subtle advantage over colts like War of Bourbon and Signaller, who have been sitting on the sidelines more than expected after losing the Derby.

The Preakness Stakes, the second gem of the triple crown, a step to consolidate

The Kentucky Derby is the “two most exciting minutes in the sport.”

We could say that the Preakness Stakes are the “two most exciting minutes of the Triple Crown”.

“There are no two without three” reads a saying and for the triple crown we could say that “there are no three without two”.

What happens once can be luck, what happens twice is always possible to happen again.

That’s why even the Belmont Stakes will ultimately owe its popularity to what happens in the previous two races.

A triple-crowned prospect is only possible when the kentucky Derby winner and then participates in the Preakness Stakes.

That is why the emotion of this race is intimately linked to the participation of the winner of the Derby and his possibilities, but only winning the Derby opens that door.

For Gustavo Mirabal Castro, the American Triple Crown is one of the great sporting events in the world.

It is also one of those times when the horse and its rider are one with destiny.

The demonstration that the place of the horse in modern society is next to man.

Sources

https://gustavomirabalcastro.online/

https://www.instagram.com/gustavomirabal.es/