Legends of the Track: Meet the Contenders: 100th Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico, Curlin:The 2007 Preakness Stakes was one for the ages, + Farewell to Hurdling Hero Harchibald
Legends of the Track: Meet the Contenders: 100th Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico, Curlin:The 2007 Preakness Stakes was one for the ages, + Farewell to Hurdling Hero Harchibald
Wednesday Edition - May 15th, 2024 (Edition 86)
BIG TALENT: Harchibald won 14 of his 48 starts under rules, amassing over £500,000 (582,000) in prize-money. Picture: Matt Browne/Sportsfile
IN TODAY’S EMAIL
Good Morning!
The 2007 Preakness Stakes wasn't just a race; it was a spectacle that will be remembered for years. The pace was fast, the competition fierce with the likes of Curlin, Street Sense and Hard Spun, battling down the stretch. The winner wasn't clear until the very last strides, and it took a photo to confirm that Curlin just got up to nose out Street Sense.
With rain looming over Pimlico this Saturday, it's like déjà vu with wet weather looking to crash another Triple Crown party. We'll dive into which horses could find their silver lining in the soggy conditions.
Before the main event, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes takes center stage on Preakness Eve, celebrating its 100th run. This battle of the 3-year-old fillies over 1-1/8 miles comes with a $300,000 purse, Today we meet the contenders.
Crossing over to Ireland, we pay tribute to Harchibald, the legendary hurdler who has passed away at the age of 25.
To wrap things up with a bit of trivia – can you pinpoint the British Racecourse that kicked off its legacy in 1866?
Rider’s Up!
Steve
GREATEST WINNERS OF THE PREAKNESS STAKES
2007 Preakness foreshadowed Curlin's greatness(USA)
Bill Frakes/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
Curlin. Street Sense. Hard Spun. Rags to Riches. The 3-year-olds of 2007 were a deep, elite group of genuine stars, and the battles they waged during the spring classics rank among the most memorable in recent decades.
Certainly the 2007 Preakness Stakes was one for the ages. Unfolding at a blazing tempo, the second jewel of the Triple Crown saw the division’s greatest stars unleash multiple moves and strategic challenges in a highly nuanced battle. The outcome was uncertain until the final strides and, even then, a review of the finish line photo was necessary to confirm the results.
“As the two gallant sophomores flashed across the finish line, Curlin — in full flight on the outside — put his head down in front. Albarado raised his whip in triumph. He knew his mount had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat”
Read the Full Article at horseracingnation.com
Watch Curlin Overhaul Street Sense in the 2007 Preakness
THE PREAKNESS STAKES
ABR: Which Preakness Runners Should Relish a Wet Track?(USA)
Mystik Dan romps over Just Steel in the mud in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park
Mystik Dan rolled in a muddy Southwest (G2); Seize the Grey has a lofty Tomlinson.
Another year, another U.S. Triple Crown race clouded by a rainy forecast.
Like the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1) earlier this month, the Preakness Stakes (G1) has racing fans and bettors checking their weather app(s) regularly the week of the Classic race in hopes of a promising update.
Unfortunately, early forecasts call for a 50/50 chance of a rainy second jewel of the Triple Crown May 18 at Pimlico Race Course.
Perhaps, like this year's Kentucky Derby, the rain will hold off or clear out in time to get a fast and dry racetrack for the Preakness. But if the rain comes, it can pay off handsomely to be prepared.
The key part of this blog will be predicting which runners might benefit from some moisture in the track and identifying whose win chances might be compromised, but let's start with the basics: what is an "off" track?
Read the full article at bloodhorse.com
BLACK-EYED SUSAN STAKES
Meet the Contenders: 100th Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico | Friday, May 17, 2024
A historic 100th edition of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes anchors the Preakness Eve card Friday at Pimlico. The 3-year-old fillies match up over 1-1/8 miles on a 6-stakes card that also includes the tradition-rich Pimlico Special.
Horseplayers on the 1/ST BET and Xpressbet platforms can enjoy up to a $10 money-back special on the Black-Eyed Susan as well as selected stakes throughout Preakness weekend if your win bet finishes second or third. It’s also part of the $50,000 Exacta-Thon promotion over Friday and Saturday at Pimlico.
Let’s meet the contenders for the $300,000 Black-Eyed Susan (Race 13):
#1-JEANNE MARIE: Runner-up in Maryland’s prep, the Weber City Miss Stakes at Laurel, she accompanies Butch Reid stablemate Uncle Heavy in his Preakness bid. Based at Parx near Philadelphia, she won the Main Line Stakes at her home track and a maiden sprint last summer. Jockey Mychel Sanchez was Parx’s leading jockey in 2023 and leads the standings so far in 2024.
Read the full article at the xpressbet.com
NATIONAL HUNT RACING
Meade pays tribute to Harchibald following superstar hurdler's death, aged 25
‘Harchi was my favourite horse of all time’.
Noel Meade has paid a heartfelt tribute to Harchibald following news of the hugely popular hurdler’s death at the age of 25.
So brilliant in his victories, he is remembered just as much for his defeat in the 2005 Champion Hurdle, where Paul Carberry was sat motionless up the run-in but ultimately lost the battle with Hardy Eustace, going down by a neck with Brave Inca the same distance away in third.
“Hail the King, our King is dead….Harchi was my favourite horse of all time,” Meade posted on X.
“I know on occasions he annoyed people and for sure he annoyed me but we had great days together, @paulcarberry Harchi & myself…never to be forgotten & I’d like to thank Johnny & Danielle Hurley for looking after him so well in his retirement. He became part of the family with them. R.I.P. old friend… #harchibald.”
Harchibald’s five Grade One wins included two victories in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and two in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle. He also landed the John James McManus Memorial Hurdle at Tipperary.
In total Meade’s star won 14 of his 48 starts under rules, amassing over £500,000 in prize-money.
Read the full article at attheraces.com
PODCAST OF THE DAY
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast
Jason opens the show discussing the Preakness draw and the Black-Eyed Susan race. Then we welcome Oklahoma and Texas-based trainer Scott Young to talk about his career as a jockey and trainer.
Listen to Jason’s Podcast Here
TRIVIA QUESTION
Can you name the British Racecourse were racing was first established in 1866?
Visit USASteeplechase X page and Scroll through the comments for the answer
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Riders Up!
Best, Steve