Tom Pedulla is offering takeaways from the Milestone 150th Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico racecourse and other major developments. The victory of journalism, which all seems to have been lost, was one of the most dramatic editions of the Middle Jewels of Triple Crown, offering a decent close. Pimlico was later rebuilt and marked a new era of Maryland racing.
Early Indications: Trainer Michael McCarthy felt that early in the development of Preakness’s winner journalism, it might be special as the son of the horse was preparing him on the West Coast. “He was preparing a little faster than your average 2 year old,” recalls McCarthy. “We had to stop him because of a bit of pain and pain. When things rolled down, he could move on and annexed three races in seven weeks, leading to the future of Los Aramitos. I began to think about things like this. You were certainly with him.”
Meaningful victory: Aron Wellman, who leads co-owner Eclipse Sorrbled Partners, saw meaning beyond the results of journalistic horse racing and the results of the fantastic exhibit of athleticism and determination in Preakness. “I think this victory represents so much about life,” Wellman said. “It took courage to make this call for Michael McCarthy to come here. (Jockey) Umberto Rispoli needed courage to wipe the needle and pass through the needle and power.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twsq2ydlizk
A commendable second: Gosgar wasn’t on anyone’s top three-year-old list when the season began. He didn’t destroy the maiden at Gulfstream Park until February 15th. When he won the Stone Street Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on April 12th, the handicapper still didn’t notice much. No one fires him after he’s free from the pack. “I’m disappointed that I won’t win that, but I’m not disappointed with the horse,” trainer Brendan Walsh said. “He’s done a great race. He’s an improved horse and he’s going to improve this. (Jockey Louis Saez) got off him and said, ‘This is Helba’s horse.’ “Gosgar is named as a salute to former Major League baseball player Jim Gosgar, now 82 years old.
Early: The goal orientation only took place in Preakness for his third start, but Hall of Fame trainer Bob Buffert thought he might be enough to give him a record ninth Preakness victory. Baffert wanted his colt to break in from the rails and rockets to lead the jockey Flavianplatt. That didn’t happen to his final fourth-place finisher. “He couldn’t run the race,” Baffert said. Baffert also praised victory journalism, calling him a “surprising horse.”
Tuning up: The Sovereignty worked for the first time since the Kentucky Derby victory, excavating 49.76 on the Oklahoma Dart Training Track on Saturday at the Saratoga Race Course. Godolphin HomeBred posted a split of: 12.88 seconds and 25.02 as he works towards the Belmont Stakes on June 7th. Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott chose to skip Preakness and give all his Colt’s energy towards Belmont, but he liked what he saw. “He had good energy and wanted to do more,” Mott said. Sovereignty rimmed journalism over the length of the Derby.
