SB Nation’s horse racing expert, Matt Gardner, put together an excellent horse-by-horse rundown of all the horses racing at the Preakness on Saturday. You’ll want to give this a read, and you’ll also want to check out our excellent horse racing blog, And Down The Stretch They Come.
A 2010 Preakness Stakes Horse-By-Horse Preview, In The Spirit Of ‘The Wire’
This race, of course, is being held in Pimlico, Baltimore, Maryland. In case you need to see this race expressed in terms of The Wire, here you go. The Wire, based in Baltimore, is the best television show of all time (source: everybody). The quoted bits below are from Mr. Gardner’s preview.
NOTE: Spoilers below. If you have not watched The Wire yet, stop reading and start watching.
Super Saver is Cedric Daniels.
Calvin Borel rides Super Saver to get results. Ervin Burrell rides Daniels to get results. Super Saver, like Daniels, will be at the top for the briefest of moments.
Aikenite is Dukie.
"You have to wonder whether this colt really wants to win against this level of competition."
He's not cut out for this, but can't figure out how to get from here to the rest of the world.
Caracortado is Stringer Bell.
"His best races, however, have been on synthetic tracks so there is a bit of an unknown as to whether he will transfer that form to conventional dirt at Pimlico."
He wasn't fast enough for that synthetic track there, and maybe -- just maybe -- not strong enough for this dirt here.
Paddy O’Prado is Slim Charles.
"He won't get away at 12/1 in the Preakness like he did in Kentucky, but he's an improving colt that figures to be in the mix at the end."
Look for him to make things messy in the end.
"This sentimental racehorse just cost us money!"
"That was for Joe."
Dublin is Namond Brice.
Self-explanatory:
“His sire, Afleet Alex, could run all day; Dublin may be a horse that wants a little less ground.”
First Dude is Lex.
"He's never run big against top competition. He might be a little short on class in the Preakness."
Lex was Bodie's first dude, but he's what Avon Barksdale might call a "poop-butt local."
Hurricane Ike (scratched) is Cutty.
The game ain't in him no more.
Lookin At Lucky is Marlo Stanfield.
"Trainer Bob Baffert waited until Monday to decide whether or not to enter Lucky this Saturday. That could have been gamesmanship on his part or he could have really been uncertain as to whether his colt needs a breather."
Held back for a while. Barksdale thought he was weak. Then, with Prop Joe's help, he took over the game. Stay safe, Baffert!
Pleasant Prince is Tommy Carcetti.
"He struggled mightily in the Blue Grass but that race was over the Polytrack at Keeneland and can probably be thrown out. He's a closer and will need quick fractions on the front end in order to have a big impact on the race."
Great at narrowing the gap toward the end. Here's hoping he doesn't lose a shoe.
Schoolyard Dreams is Omar.
Again, self explanatory:
“possesses a nice stalking style”
Jackson Bend is Mr. Prezbo.
"Nick Zito's colt made a big move in the middle stages of the Derby to pull within 2 3/4 lengths of the lead and then flattened out to finish almost 20 lengths back at the wire. That was the first time in his career that Jackson Bend didn't finish first or second, which certainly makes one think the colt has a better race in him."
Thanks to some department moves, Prezbo's career was on the rise despite his faults. And suddenly, after one too many mistakes, he had to start again from zero. He took a different path and found a measure of redemption.
Northern Giant is Bodie.
"This colt looked like he was progressing nicely until he finished last of nine horses in the Arkansas Derby back on April 10."
Bodie was rising in the ranks. Then the Barksdale organization vaporized, and he was left to start from nothing.
Yawanna Twist is Bubbles.
"He'll likely be available at big odds on Saturday and it wouldn't be a shock to see him finish in the top four."
He has never won. Ever. Whenever it looks like he might come out on top, he's brought down to size. He won't "win," but in the end, he just might make something of himself. Believe. I hope that in the end, his trainer lets him out of the stall for dinner.
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