CURLIN TO CONQUER CHROME

The second leg of the American Triple Crown takes place today at Pimlico Racecourse, in the form of the Preakness Stakes. The hot favourite is Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome, but recent renewals of this race suggest that he might not have everything his own way. Many Kentucky Derby winners who have gone on to this have been beaten; Orb, Animal Kingdom, Super Saver, Mine That Bird and Street Sense all have encountered this fate in recent years. There are however, some horses that have done the double, such as I'll Have Another, Big Brown and Smarty Jones. In truth, California Chrome should be good enough to join that illustrious role of honour, but at the price he is, opposing him makes sense. 

Trainer Art Sherman has said that California Chrome has been coughing in the two weeks since his Churchill Downs victory, which although Sherman's said that should not prove a problem, it's something to be aware off. 

If anything is going to beat him, it may be a horse comes late. He was in the lead a long way from home in the Derby and although he always looked fairly comfortable, Commanding Curve did begin to make late gains on him. Perhaps if there was a horse who came with a surging run, they could catch California Chrome in the dying strides...

A horse who did make late gains in the Kentucky Derby was RIDE ON CURLIN, despite having a torrid run all the way round. His draw was poor, having to be pulled across from stall 19 all the way to the inside rail and as a result, was a back marker throughout. Once in the straight, he was bustled about, being knocked left right and centre. Once he had some free running room, he made up quite a lot of ground, finishing a respectable second. You would be very surprised if he suffered any interference this time around and he should go a lot closer. 

He may not prove good enough to be reverse the form with California Chrome, but Kentucky Derby also rans have a decent record in this, with Oxbow, Shackleford, Lookin At Lucky and Curlin, Ride On Curlin's (aptly named) sire all having won the Preakness in recent years following defeat at Churchill Downs.

Ride On Curlin looking to emulate his father's success in 2007.

Another horse who could go well is BAYERN, so called after his owner's favourite football club, Bayern Munich. He has some decent form in the book, finishing first past the post in a Kentucky Derby trial (only to lose it in the Stewards' Room). He has a very wise trainer in Bob Baffert and arguably the best female jockey in the world aboard in Rosie Napravnik. 

Bob Baffert's representative looking to hold the opposition at Bay...ern.

Once again, I'll reiterate the point that California Chrome ought to be winning this, but if there are any chinks in his armour, these two should have what it takes to expose them and win the Preakness Stakes.

Good luck to everybody

Happy Punting!