Possible contenders for Preakness Stakes gearing up: Astrology, Nehro, Midnight Interlude, working out
The second leg of the Triple Crown, also known as “The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" will be held on May 21, 2011. The Preakness Stakes does not merely rely on graded earnings to determine starters, rather it involves a convoluted three tiered system that
selects the first seven spots on the basis of graded earnings and the next set of runners is selected on the basis of two different criterions.
Unlike the 20 horse field of the Kentucky Derby, the middle leg of the Triple Crown entertains 14 contestants. The two possible contenders that won’t be a part of the race are Isn’t He Perfect and Saratoga Red.
Among the list of possible contestants, Astrology is a possible duellist. Stonestreet Stables and George Bolton’s Astrology had his final workout before the Run for the Black Eyed Susans.
He breezed the half mile in 51 3/5 on May 16, 2011. Astrology is trained by Steve Asmussen.
Astrology doesn’t necessarily appear to be striving for the lead but lately the colt has shown a good deal of pace in the early stages.
One of Steve Asmussen’s key assistant, Scott Blasi, recorded the colt who posted fractions of 50 3/5 with a final eighth of 11 4/5.
Scott Blasi handles Churchill Downs’ and Fair Grounds’ operations for Steve Asmussen.
Scott reported that the work out done by the colt was better than his performance in the Kentucky Derby. The speediest work on the sloppy surface of Churchill Downs was 49 1/5.
George Bolton commented on the work out, saying, “Scott said it was exactly what they were looking for, the track was very slow and sloppy, and they weren’t looking for speed; just something to shake his legs up. We already know he can work fast (coming
off a six-furlong drill in 1:12 2/5), so they got in just what they wanted”.
Astrology was not the only contender to tune up for the Preakness Stakes. Nehro also timed in 12.80, 25.40 and 37.80, and sprinted the five furlongs in 1:05.20.
He exercised under Carlos Rosas. Carlos Rosas was the exercise rider for the 2007 Preakness Stakes winner, Curlin. Nehro’s performance was viewed by his owner, Ahmed Zayat.
Zyat wanted his colt to give a shot at the Belmont Stakes after the Derby.
The son of Mineshaft’s participation in the meeting is still under debate.
If the colt does race he will be making his fourth start of the year. Nehro has finished second in his first three starts of 2011, the Louisiana Derby, Arkansas Derby and the Kentucky Derby.
Asmussen told the Churchill officials, “We’ll just evaluate how he’s doing, how he comes out of the race and how he’s acting, I thought he went over the racetrack well (this morning) and travelled good”.
Another horse to make his mark on the Preakness work outs is the winner of the Santa Anita Derby, Midnight Interlude.
Midnight Interlude sported fractions of 48.60 and 1:02.80. He travelled the three furlongs in 35.60. Midnight Interlude is trained by the Hall of Fame trainer, Bob Baffert.
Flights carrying horses from Churchill Downs to Baltimore will leave on May 18, 2011. The Preakness Stakes has a purse of $1,000,000 and is run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs.
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