Bob Ehardt and Tom Pedra became fast friends when they met on their first day at Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx, New York in 1970. Bob quickly introduced Tom to the joys of thoroughbred lace.
They endured some rough moments on the truck. Tom took the exception and Bob repeatedly slams him with the program as one of the horses began a full drive. Much of Tom’s frustration and onlooker entertainment is known to seek security to cash out the $27 triple.
Together they owned many horses and were part of a group that owned the 1998 Whitney runner-up cat story. They are often seen continuing as if they had never left their teenage years.
Here’s their view of 150th The Preakness Stakes will run on the Pimlico race course in Baltimore on Saturday for a mile and a third.
Pedra: Bob, after being sovereign in the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, there’s no need to remind me that I’m running high on Preakness. I’m looking to take another step towards the handicap triple crown and see all the prequels except Gim with journalism. He has a style that suits this and I think the pace scenario would be ideal. Time taught me that there is no fatal lock in the race. This is close to that.
ehalt: Congratulations to Thomas on your choice of Kentucky Derby winner and Cold Excelta. Good job, my friend. As for me, I had the boxed Exacta and triples. I’ve been constantly finishing second, I’m thinking of changing my name to Alider. Well, I’m very confident this time. Journalism put incredible efforts in the Kentucky Derby when he was runner-up and had a huge weight class advantage over his rivals. If you can get a morning price of 8-5, it’s a steal.
Pedra: As we know, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Plecher is usually noticeable when he is absent from the middle gem of the Triple Crown. This year he targeted a race against the Thames. That’s a lot to say. Also, the quality is there as the Thames River has just finished heading behind sovereignty with the fountain of young people’s stakes.
ehalt: Thomas, are you looking over my shoulder? I also have the River Thames second. I think skipping the derby and referring to Preakness would work for him. He has the perfect running style for this track.
Pedra: Our longtime Bob at Old Hilltop says that Derby runners tend to do strong shows in Preakness. The deep nearer Sandman is better than his 7th place derby finish and you get the piece here.
ehalt: Goal-oriented people say trainer Bob Baffert isn’t here for crab cakes. I’m probably, but he’s not. Buffart likes what he sees in this lightly race-undefeated colt, which is enough for me to include him in my exotic.
Pedra: I hope goal orientation has more than three starts under his belt. At the same time, the willingness of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert to run him two weeks after his allowance victory at Derby Undercard says he comes out of that race very well and that Baffert considers his talent high. But I expect a strong pace and make sure I’m working against this speedster.
ehalt: Speed can be dangerous here. This leads to 100 jokes about facilities that are quickly removed if left to the reader’s imagination. So I’ll include smart again. He looked very good at winning the front-end Hot Springs Stakes and could have been brave here if no one had pushed him hard in the early stages. Very long, “old” Pimlico.
