Going into the Preakness Card Zito had two animals (Pinpoint and Indy Storm) that had just run against each other in a NW1X at Keeneland. Pinpoint (in his accustomed front end style prevailed by 5 lengths that day.) However, Indy Storm was bumped and checked at the start and came up what was essentially a weeklong dead rail.
On Preakness day they ran the same distance, separated by appoximately 4 hours:
Indy Storm\'s Race: 22.89, 46.34, 1:10.92, 1:37.08, 1:43.71
Race 2..................: 24.39, 47.84, 1.12.38, 1.37.28
Pinpoint\'s Race : 24.65, 49.13, 1:13.04, 1:38.12, 1:44.43
Race 10
Indy was significantly more wide, yet Tgraph and Beyer both give Pinpoint credit for the better race. Obviously, the only way to do that is upon a changing surface.
This is an interesting matchup, even if of lowish probability to impact the exotics. In this race its Indy Storm head to head with the Peaks and Valleys colt over a Halo mare.
I\'m of the opinion that Indy Storm is the real up-and-comer among the 3 Zitos entered in the Belmont, with a great shot to hit the board tomorrow.
AA will likely react to his Preakness effort, and the distance question looms, but I can\'t quite talk myself into putting Indy Storm on top. Not yet anyway.
For contrast:
Ragozin
PinPoint 13-, 13-, 11+
Indy Storm 14, 16, 8
Beyer (May 21)
Indy Storm 88
Pinpoint 87
Must have been a nightmare card to make figs for......