Preakness Stakes Preview
In just under two week's time, the 2011 Preakness Stakes will be run at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Known as the second leg of the Triple Crown of horse betting, the Preakness Stakes is one of the most exciting races in all of horse racing. Here is a preview of the upcoming race.
Two days removed from one of the best Kentucky Derby's in the last decade, and fans are still talking about 30 to one long shot Animal Kingdom's victory at Churchill Downs. For another consecutive year, the favorite going into the Kentucky Derby and the favorite going into the Preakness are two totally different horses. This past weekend, Animal Kingdom became the first horse in Kentucky Derby history to run on dirt for the first time at the Derby and win the race.
Animal Kingdom now ridden by former Uncle Mo jockey John Velazquez is expected to ride in the Preakness Stakes, on May 21 at Pimlico Race Course. As a matter of fact, Pimlico Race Course is actually the home track of Animal Kingdom, as Fair Hill Training Center, which houses Animal Kingdom on behalf of Team Valor is 60 miles away from Pimlico.
After teaming to win the Kentucky Derby this past Saturday, Animal Kingdom trainer Graham Motion and jockey John Velazquez, have worked out a deal so that Velazquez will continue riding Animal Kingdom, until the horse loses. In theory, because Pimlico is Animal Kingdom's home track, any talk of a loss should be all but forgotten.
Looking at the rest of the Preakness field, and fans will see that there are several good horses that will ride in this year's race. Mucho Macho Man who finished in third place, as well as Kentucky Derby favorite Dialed In will run in this year's Preakness. However, second place finisher Nehro withdrew after the Kentucky Derby, since its owners want the horse to qualify for a Breeders' Cup Classic position.