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Weekend Peek at the 2016 Preakness Contenders Past Performances
- Updated: May 13, 2016
We’re a weekend away from the 2016 Preakness so I thought I’d take a look at the early past performances of the potential contenders.
The field for the 141st running of the second leg of the Triple Crown series will be run Saturday, May 20 at Pimlico where it’s expected that this year’s Kentucky Derby winner, Nyquist, will have a chance to make it two in a row on his way to a potential Triple Crown win in the footsteps of last year’s winner American Pharoah.
Click here to get the Brisnet early past performances for the 2016 Preakness Stakes. Preakness Past Performances
Can Exaggerator turn the tables on Nyquist after his late rally in the Derby? We’ll find out on Saturday but let’s take it from the top and I’ll begin my look at the Preakness contenders with Awesome Speed who’s first on the list of pps.
2016 Preakness Contenders
Awesome Speed
As always there’s nary a contender for the Preakness who has had the all important “race over the track” because honestly, Pimlico sucks! But every year there’s always one Preakness runner exiting the Federico Tesio, Pimlico’s prep race for the Preakness, and it’s usually the winner of the Tesio. This year Awesome Speed will go into the Preakness as the representative after a win by default when he was moved up from second after being bumped by Governor Malibu a few jumps from the wire. Let me say this. I just watched the replay and the infraction, if any, was so minor that it could have gone either way. But needless to say they went even splits of :25 thru the entire race and as always the hometown hero has no shot in the Preakness.
Brody’s Cause – PROBABLE NON-STARTER
Liked this horse since they switched riders and won the Blue Grass. Was 19 wide in the Derby and his late running style wasn’t a fit for the way the track was playing speed in Louisville last Saturday. He did show some late interest as Saez was able to move him through the crowd to finish a respectable 7th beaten just 9 1/2. The Preakness is a 1/16th shorter than the Derby and I think he’ll like the cutback but will have a lot of work to do. Other than Exaggerator he’s been the most competitive against Nyquist.
Cherry Wine
Was third in the Blue Grass behind stablemate Brody’s Cause and was on the also’s for the Derby but with no defectors had to sit out and wait for this one. Has two nondescript wins by big margins including his maiden score in the slop at Churchill going 1 1/16 miles last November. Took next at Gulfstream in January. Fits with these for sure and moves up if it’s muddy next Saturday.
Collected
Will represent team Baffert as the most recent G3 Lexington winner. Has 4 wins under his belt. Only race vs. TC types was a fourth place finish in the Southwest behind Suddenbreakingnews who came running to grab the fifth spot in the Derby. Son of City Zip has tactical speed but seems a notch below the top tier and City Zip runners aren’t known for stamina.
Creator – PROBABLE NON-STARTER
His Arkansas Derby win had some thinking big in the Derby. He’s a really deep closer. Had a rough trip in the Derby and finished 13th beaten 18 lengths. Too many seconds on his chart to think he can win vs. the best in here.
Dazzling Gem
If he goes it will be only the 4th start of his career. Took first two then was third in the Louisiana Derby behind Gun Runner who completed the Derby trifecta. Was second at the top of the stretch in the Arkansas Derby before tiring to fourth. Can’t find any pluses for this one.
Exaggerator
I’m a believer now. His Derby performance was nothing short of spectacular as he closed on the speed favoring track in the Derby and if there’s was another 20 yards would have caught Nyquist. But it’s a shorter race this time you say? Well, that’s true. He’s been campaigned hard but has always been a step behind undefeated Nyquist. Pops took the Preakness over Street Sense in ’07 and Desormeaux owned this track early in his career and knows how to ride it. And if it comes up muddy, look out!
Fellowship
Best effort was a third behind Nyquist who toyed with them in the Florida Derby. Was fourth on the Derby undercard in the Pat Day Mile. Doesn’t belong.
Gun Runner
Has the tactical speed needed to win races like this. Geroux could have waited a bit longer to make his move which might have made Nyquist work a little harder down the lane. If he steps up from his Derby show spot he’ll be right there at the end. A 1/16th less distance is right up his alley. Stay tuned.
Lani
Broke from the 8 hole but was kept wide the whole race by Japanese rider Yutaka Take. Home-bred son of Tapit took the UAE Derby at Meydan at this distance. If he’s kept stateside for this one he will have an easier time of it here on Saturday. May surprise at a nice price.
Laoban
Still a maiden. Was runner-up to Shagaf who stamped his ticket to the Derby by winning the Gotham only to be eased home and did not finish in Kentucky. Like Nyquist he’s a son of Uncle Mo from another mother but that’s where the similarity ends. No shot.
Nyquist
What can I say that I haven’t said already in this post? Was he getting tired in the Derby? Can he carry the colors of Reddam Racing into New York like I’ll Have Another did in 2012? Tried to beat him in the Derby because I don’t like chalk but you can’t make ’em lose just because they are. No denying he’s the undisputed heavyweight champ of 2016 but I’ll try to beat him again on Saturday because – well just because.
Sharp Azteca – PROBABLE NON-STARTER
Won the Pat Day Mile last Saturday and will take them as far as he can. Speed carries in the slop but other than that I can’t see him going all the way either way.
Stradivari
Impressive winner of his last two for Pletcher will make his 4th lifetime start and another with plenty of upside in his future which may be as close as next Saturday. You never know.
Suddenbreakingnews – PROBABLE NON-STARTER
Was rolling home late in the Derby to grab 5th beaten just under 5 lengths. Like several others he’s a late closer who is probably still a notch below the best.
Uncle Lino
Exited the Santa Anita Derby to take the California Chrome at Los Alamitos in his last start reinforcing Exaggerator’s victory at SA going into the Derby. Still can’t see how he’ll have any impact in here.
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