YOUR GUIDE TO THE PREAKNESS
What: 136th Preakness Stakes When: Tomorrow, 6:19 p.m. post time (Race 12) Where: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore TV: NBC beginning at 4:30 p.m. (Versus has undercard coverage starting at 2:30 p.m.)
What: 136th Preakness Stakes
When: Tomorrow, 6:19 p.m. post time (Race 12)
Where: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore
TV: NBC beginning at 4:30 p.m. (Versus has undercard coverage starting at 2:30 p.m.)
Radio: ESPN (950-AM), beginning at 6 p.m.
Wagering Info: 1-888-BET-2-WIN or www.phonebet.com
Distance: 1 3/16 miles.
Weights: 126 pounds.
Weather: Mostly sunny, temperatures in the high 70s at post time.
Purse: $1 million (if 14 start). First place: $600,000. Second place: $200,000. Third place: $110,000. Fourth place: $60,000.
2011 Triple Crown schedule: Kentucky Derby, May 7 (winner: Animal Kingdom); Preakness Stakes, May 21; Belmont Stakes, June 11.
WHERE TO WAGER
ON TRACK
Harrah's Chester: 777 Harrahs Blvd., Chester, 800-480-8020
Parx Racing: 3001 Street Road, Bensalem, 215-639-9000
OFF-TRACK PARLORS
Center City:
1635 Market St.
215-246-1556
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South Philadelphia:
700 Packer Ave.
215-551-8270
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Northeast:
Roosevelt Mall
Cottman and Bustleton Aves.
215-338-1887
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Upper Darby:
150 S. 69th St.
610-352-5666
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Valley Forge:
Oaks Corporate Center
600 Cresson Blvd.
610-650-0100
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Brandywine:
1021 Baltimore Pike
Concordville
610-361-9000
WAGERING TERMS
Win: Betting a horse to finish first.
Place: Betting a horse to finish first or second.
Show: Betting a horse to finish first, second or third.
Across the board: Betting an equal amount to win, place and show.
Exacta: A bet on which horses will finish first and second, in order.
Quinella: A bet on which horses will finish first and second, regardless of order.
Trifecta: A bet on which horses will finish first, second and third, in order.
Superfecta: A bet on which horses will finish first, second, third and fourth, in order.
Pick Six: Correctly picking the winners of six consecutive designated races. Pick Six wagering tomorrow at Pimlico begins with Race 7.
THE PREAKNESS FIELD
1 Astrology
Morning Line: 15-1
Owner: Stonestreet Stables and George Bolton
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Mike Smith
Gross Earnings: $323,893
2011: 2 starts; 0 firsts; 2 seconds; 0 thirds
Career: 7 starts; 2 firsts; 3 seconds; 2 thirds
Last three: Jerome Handicap (2nd), Sunland Derby (2nd), Kentucky Jockey Club (2nd).
Jerardi's breakdown: Never been worse than third in seven starts. Right there in five straight minor stakes.
***
2 Norman Asbjornson
Morning Line: 30-1
Owner: Thomas McClay and Harry Nye
Trainer: Christopher Grove
Jockey: Julian Pimentel
Gross Earnings: $167,200
2011: 3 starts; 1 first; 1 second; 0 thirds
Career: 6 starts; 2 firsts; 1 second; 0 thirds
Last three: Wood Memorial (4th), Gotham Stakes (2nd), allowance at Parx Racing (1st).
Jerardi's breakdown: Won his only two races at Parx and Penn National. Improving, but would need a career top.
***
3 King Congie
Morning Line: 20-1
Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Tom Albertrani
Jockey: Robby Albarado
Gross Earnings: $143,000
2011: 4 starts; 3 firsts; 0 seconds; 1 third
Career: 6 starts; 3 firsts; 0 seconds; 1 third
Last three: Blue Grass Stakes (3rd), Hallandale Beach Stakes (1st), Tropical Park Derby (1st).
Jerardi's breakdown: Did this colt improve because of the distances or because he got off dirt? Great run in the Blue Grass.
***
4 Flashpoint
Morning Line: 20-1
Owner: Peachtree Stables
Trainer: Wesley Ward
Jockey: Cornelio Velasquez
Gross Earnings: $140,000
2011: 3 starts; 2 firsts; 0 seconds; 0 thirds
Career: 3 starts; 2 firsts; 0 seconds; 0 thirds
Last three: Florida Derby (4th), Hutcheson Stakes (1st), maiden special (1st).
Jerardi's breakdown: Quick enough to have dominated the 7-furlong Hutcheson. Should ensure a quick pace here.
***
5 Shackleford
Morning Line: 12-1
Owner: Mike Lauffer and Bill Cubbedge
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Jesus Castanon
Gross Earnings: $312,000
2011: 4 starts; 1 first; 1 second; 0 thirds
Career: 6 starts; 2 firsts; 1 second; 0 thirds
Last three: Kentucky Derby (4th), Florida Derby (2nd), Fountain of Youth Stakes (5th).
Jerardi's breakdown: Derby pacesetter was all heart, but still could not win even after very moderate fractions sans pressure.
***
6 Sway Away
Morning Line: 15-1
Owner: Batman Stable, et al.
Trainer: Jeff Bonde
Jockey: Garrett Gomez
Gross Earnings: $111,500
2011: 3 starts; 0 firsts; 1 second; 0 thirds
Career: 4 starts; 1 first; 2 seconds; 0 thirds
Last three: Arkansas Derby (4th), Rebel Stakes (6th), San Vicente Stakes (2nd).
Jerardi's breakdown: Son of Afleet Alex made a giant, premature move in the Arkansas Derby. Chance with a better-timed move.
***
7 Midnight Interlude
Morning Line: 15-1
Owner: Arnold Zetcher
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Martin Garcia
Gross Earnings: $600,000
2011: 5 starts; 2 firsts; 1 second; 1 third
Career: 5 starts; 2 firsts; 1 second; 1 third
Last three: Kentucky Derby (16th), Santa Anita Derby (1st), maiden special (1st).
Jerardi's breakdown: Simply did not fire in Kentucky. Bob Baffert giving him another shot.
***
8 Dance City
Morning Line: 12-1
Owner: Estate of Edward P. Evans
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Ramon Dominguez
Gross Earnings: $160,900
2011: 3 starts; 2 firsts; 0 seconds; 1 third
Career: 4 starts; 2 firsts; 1 second; 1 third
Last three: Arkansas Derby (3rd), allowance (1st), maiden special (1st).
Jerardi's breakdown: Never stopped trying in strong Arkansas Derby after chasing the pace. Ran all the way to the wire.
***
9 Mucho Macho Man
Morning Line: 6-1
Owner: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Dream Team One Racing Stable
Trainer: Kathy Ritvo
Jockey: Rajiv Maragh
Gross Earnings: $570,000
2011: 4 starts; 1 first; 0 seconds; 2 thirds
Career: 9 starts; 2 firsts; 3 seconds; 3 thirds
Last three: Kentucky Derby (3rd), Louisiana Derby (3rd), Risen Star (1st).
Jerardi's breakdown: Gave yet another strong performance when third in the Derby. Fires every time.
***
10 Dialed In
Morning Line: 9-2
Owner: Robert LaPenta
Trainer: Nick Zito
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Gross Earnings: $840,000
2011: 4 starts; 2 firsts; 1 second; 0 thirds
Career: 5 starts; 3 firsts; 1 second; 0 thirds
Last three: Kentucky Derby (8th), Florida Derby (1st), allowance race (2nd).
Jerardi's breakdown: Got too far behind a slow Derby pace. Gets a $5.5 million bonus for his connections with a win here.
***
11 Animal Kingdom
Morning Line: 2-1
Owner: Team Valor International
Trainer: H. Graham Motion
Jockey: John Velazquez
Gross Earnings: $1,696,800
2011: 3 starts; 2 firsts; 1 second; 0 thirds
Career: 5 starts; 3 firsts; 2 seconds; 0 thirds
Last three: Kentucky Derby (1st), Spiral Stakes (1st), allowance race (2nd).
Jerardi's breakdown: Derby winner was no fluke. In a cleanly run race, he overwhelmed the field in the stretch.
***
12 Isn't He Perfect
Morning Line: 30-1
Owner: Kharag Stables
Trainer: Doodnauth Shivmangal
Jockey: Edgar Prado
Gross Earnings: $90,222
2011: 6 starts; 1 first; 0 seconds; 1 third
Career: 12 starts; 2 firsts; 0 seconds; 1 third
Last three: Jerome Handicap (5th), Wood Memorial (5th), allowance (1st).
Jerardi's breakdown: Have no clue why they picked this race for this horse. Would be a miracle if he hits the board.
***
13 Concealed Identity
Morning Line: 30-1
Owner: Linda Gaudet & Morris Bailey
Trainer: Eddie Gaudet
Jockey: Sheldon Russell
Gross Earnings: $120,780
2011: 3 starts; 0 firsts; 0 seconds; 0 thirds
Career: 3 starts; 0 firsts; 0 seconds; 0 thirds
Last three: Private Terms Stakes (5th), Miracle Wood Stakes (4th), Dancing Count Stakes (4th).
Jerardi's breakdown: Son of Smarty Jones may have his sire's genes, but unfortunately does not have his speed.
***
14 Mr. Commons
Morning Line: 20-1
Owner: St. George Farm Racing
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Jockey: Victor Espinoza
Gross Earnings: $120,000
2011: 3 starts; 2 firsts; 0 seconds; 1 third
Career: 4 starts; 2 firsts; 0 seconds; 1 third
Last three: Santa Anita Derby (3rd), allowance (1st), maiden special (1st).
Jerardi's breakdown: Finished third in Santa Anita Derby. First and second horses in that race finished 16th and 19th in Derby.
STAFF PICKS
Dick Jerardi: 11 Animal Kingdom; 6 Sway Away; 10 Dialed In; 9 Mucho Macho Man
Ed Barkowitz: 10 Dialed In; 9 Mucho Macho Man; 5 Shackleford; 7 Midnight Interlude
Stan Hochman: 4 Flashpoint; 9 Mucho Macho Man; 11 Animal Kingdom; 10 Dialed In