It\'s been stated a few times on the boards here that the Preakness may be a tougher handicapping proposition than the Derby this year.
Will we see:
Mr. Fantasy
Big Drama
MTB
IWR
..any other Derby contenders?
MTB may be more than 10-1.
Charismatic went of at 9-1 and scored.. He would have won the Belmont if he didn\'t brake down> As you all no.
This article seems to indicate that Papa Clem and Musket Man are considering the Preakness. Others are pointing to Belmont. Friesan Fire and Dunkirk are both out with injuries.
http://www.drf.com/news/article/103483.html
Charismatic had a legitimate speed figure coming in to the Derby. He was as fast as almost anybody in the field. He just didn\'t bounce. This reminds me more of Giacomo.
At least Giacomo had some big works between the SA Derby & the Kentucky Derby.
The only explanations-the mud & the rail. In TSN\'s sire stats book Birdstone is an A & Smart Strike is an A+. Gold rail & Calvin always rides it. It was just a perfect storm for this horse. If the Preakness comes up muddy and there\'s a rail bias at Pimlico that day, he\'s got a shot. Otherwise, it\'s a 2 horse race between Big Drama & Mr. Fantasy.
A lot\'s been said about the rail either for best part of the track or shortest route home. But even if MTB circles the field 6w on the final turn he still wins the photo (assuming the crown was as good as the rail). The race just collapsed. MTB ran his final quarter in 23 and change. POTN came home in 26+. That\'s 15 lengths.
Tougher race in terms of quality, not handicapping. Given the result, hard to see how the Preakness could be harder to handicap than the Derby.