AMERICAN PHAROAH (far right) splashes to Preakness glory – TERENCE DULAY, horse-races.net, braving the weather
FLYING PHAROAH – 102 Beyer in the slop
Racing fans of all types getting ready for wild three weeks.
It was scary to watch the thunderstorm roll into Pimlico just before the horses got riders up for the Preakness Stakes (Grade 1) yesterday. The driving rain poured off of Gary Steven’s helmet, the horses galloped off to the gate and could hardly be seen.
Everyone had their favourite of the top three from the Derby: would Dortmund bounce back from a surprising fade in the Derby? Would Firing Line finally beat both of his rivals who have edged him? Or was AMERICAN PHAROAH going to continue on his way to the big test in the Big Apple.
If you were on the side of the latter, you were right and cheering on AMERICAN PHAROAH as he sprinted away from the gate under a hustling Victor Espinoza. And when he put away that poor soul known as Mr. Z and simply drew away, even some of the crustier bettors in the crowd got tingles.
You simply are not a true racing fan if you are not hoping that this colt wins the Triple Crown because the ride there will be great for horse racing and a victory would be a great boost too.
Ah, but we know how this works. The daunting 1 1/2 miles on the sandy Belmont track. Not for the faint-hearted, not for a horse or rider who moves too soon.
Frosted, Materiality, Carpe Diem, Keen Ice, Mubtahiij, Madefromlucky, Conquest Curlinate, and Frammento – just some of the horses resting in their stalls.
THE CHAMP – He has done it, AMERICAN PHAROAH is on his way to New York (start spreadin the news) CINDY PIERSON DULAY photo
SHAMAN GHOST CURES MARINE
‘Medicine man looms Queen’s Plate favourite
Stronach Stables’ SHAMAN GHOST, named for the term for a medicine man, has zoomed his way up the chart for the Queen’s Plate favourites with his big win in the Marine Stakes (Grade 3) Saturday at Woodbine.
The beautiful bay colt by Ghostzapper – Getback Time by Gilded Tine earned an 83 Beyer Speed Figure for the win, his 3rd straight. It was his 2nd race on the Polytrack.
Rafael Hernandez shipped in to ride the Adena Springs-bred. Brian Lynch trains.
So, while the Stronach team felt a little deflated when UNBRIDLED JUAN pooped out last week in an allowance race off his big dirt win, Shaman Ghost has picked up the slack.
Lynch told Thoroughblog on Saturday that the “Plate Trial comes up a little quick” but the two options are the Trial or train into the Plate on July 5.
DANISH DYNAFORMER ran a huge race to be third after charging down the middle of the track. He did not have a smooth trip as he was shuffled back badly into the far turn.
The worst trip in the race, however, was the unfortunate journey of CONQUEST BOOGALOO, who had no luck at all from the far turn to the stretch run and no doubt a frustrated Patrick Husbands, who had a great last couple of weeks, simply had to give up. Watch out for the Boogaloo next time out.
As for AMI’S FLATTER, it was strange to see him flop after he was taken off the Kentucky Derby trail after good efforts. He was fresh and some thought he had worked well recently but he did not fare well.
Check out Thoroughblog tomorrow for more updates this weekend’s racing!
