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Title: At Preakness, No One Knows How Horses Will Rebound
Source:
ABC News from Associated Press
URL Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireSt ... -rebound-16384456#.T7e13FKDHCM
Published: May 19, 2012
Author: DAVID GINSBURG AP Sports Writer
Post Date: 2012-05-19 11:15:30 by Fred Mertz
Keywords: IllHaveAnother, Bodemeister, Cozzetti
Views: 12480
Comments: 35
Judging by his appetite and appearance, Bodemeister has rebounded nicely from his vigorous trip in the Kentucky Derby and is ready to shine at the Preakness.
Bodemeister finished second in the Derby and has been installed the favorite in Saturday's second jewel of the Triple Crown.
"I've had some horses, they run (and then) they don't eat for a few days and they sulk in the stall or whatever," Bodemeister trainer Bob Baffert said. "But he's a pretty tough horse. He just bounced out of it really well. If you watch their weight over their rumps, that's where they usually lose it if they can't handle what you're giving them. He filled out nice and his hair looks good. He looks good."
So, Baffert's got nothing to worry about, right?
Uh, not exactly. Because not even a Hall of Fame trainer can predict how a horse will react when thrust into a big race for the second time in 15 days.
"If the gate comes open and they feel like running, they run," he said. "If they don't feel like it, they don't run."
Baffert speaks from experience. In 2009, he brought Derby runner-up Pioneerof the Nile to Pimlico Race Course for the Preakness. The horse went off as the second favorite and finished 11th in a field of 13.
"I thought he would run huge and he never ran a jump," Baffert said. "They're doing great, but you're still waiting for that gate to come open to see what they're going to do."
Baffert has won the Preakness five times. Doug O'Neill, trainer of Derby winner I'll Have Another, never even visited Baltimore before last week.
The edge in experience goes to Baffert, but the most important factor in determining the winner of a race isn't necessarily the manner in which a horse is groomed, exercised or saddled.
Most times, the best horse wins — even if the trainer is a Preakness first-timer.
"The cream always rises to the top," Baffert said. "The Kentucky Derby winner is a very good horse and he's going to be tough to beat."
Only six of the 20 horses that ran at Churchill Downs came to Baltimore for the Preakness. Mike Harrington, trainer of Creative Cause, expects his horse to bounce back from a disappointing fifth-place finish — the first time in nine career races the gray colt finished out of the money.
"He's getting more mature with every race he runs," Harrington said. "He's doing well. He's holding up good. I was talking to somebody this morning and I said it will be interesting to see how many of these are still standing after the Belmont."
Went the Day Well finished fourth in the Derby, and trainer Graham Motion can only hope his horse has enough left to run better in the Preakness.
"Went the Day Well looks like he's doing great," Motion said. "But honestly, I don't know how he's going to run Saturday. He's given me every indication that he's doing super, but I don't think we can tell what the Derby has taken out of them until we get there."
There are five new shooters set to go, all at odds ranging from 15- to 30-1.
One of them is Tiger Walk, who changed jockeys after Kent Desormeaux failed a Breathalyzer test at Belmont Park in New York on Friday. Ramon Dominguez will now ride the 30-1 long shot owned by Under Armour founder Kevin Plank.
"It was a team decision," trainer Ignacio Correas said. "Ramon is a great rider. We're happy to have him."
Other notable new shooters include Teeth of the Dog (15-1), who was third in the Wood Memorial for trainer Michael Matz and Cozzetti (30-1), trained by Dale Romans, who won last year's Preakness with Shackleford.
———
The field, from the rail out: Tiger Walk (Kent Desormeaux, 30-1); Teeth of the Dog (Joe Bravo, 15-1); Pretension (Javier Santiago, 30-1); Zetterholm (Junior Alvarado, 20-1); Went the Day Well (John Velazquez, 6-1); Creative Cause (Joel Rosario, 6-1); Bodemeister (Mike Smith, 8-5); Daddy Nose Best (Julien Leparoux, 12-1); I'll Have Another (Mario Gutierrez, 5-2); Optimizer (Corey Nakatani, 30-1); and Cozzetti (Jose Lezcano, 30-1).
Poster Comment:
This will be an interesting race to watch. I'm cheering for I'll Have Another in hopes we see a Triple Crown possibility this year.
Bodemeister is the lone speed in the race so his odds won't promise big payouts.
The other Kentucky Derby horses in this race also have a legitimate shot.
I doubt I'll bet anything today...maybe we'll have a few random draws at the tavern for fun...2 dollar and 5 dollar pots.
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#1. To: mcgowanjm, mininggold (#0) (Edited)
I know Jim is a Bodemeister fan. How about you?
Edit: I meant to mention that jockey Kent Desormeaux was taken off his Preakness mount for failing a breathalyzer in New York yesterday. That doesn't necessarily mean he was drunk as the standard is exceeding .05% - but he apparently tied one on either the night/morning before racing with a fair trace of alcohol.
As a Hall of Fame jockey it is a sad thing for him and it isn't good for the sport either.
#2. To: Fred Mertz (#1) (Edited)
The National Council on Problem Gambling
1-800-522-4700 - 24 Hour Confidential Hotline
Fred... it's because I care.
Edit: (Hopefully you know that was a joke.) :o)
#3. To: We The People (#2)
Did you read my comments?
I'm not going to bet today. Throwing down $2 in a random draw does not make one an addict, although Thunderbird/Badeye accuses me of it too.
I go to the track maybe ten times a year for fun and I never bet online nor beyond my means.
I lost $18 on the Kentucky Derby, so there.
But thanks for your concern.
#4. To: Fred Mertz (#3)
Sorry, I didn't make it apparent that I was joking.
I enjoy going to a casino or horse race myself.
#5. To: Fred Mertz (#3)
I lost $18 on the Kentucky Derby, so there.
Fred, you continue to lose more money. Do you recall that "gift" to your ol' palwsy-walsy, TLBSHOW? He claims he is going to pay you back.
#6. To: Fred Mertz (#3)
I enjoy going to a casino or horse race myself.
I may even go tonight.
I won a life changing $30.00 the last time I went!
#7. To: buckeroo (#5)
Fred, you continue to lose more money.
Someone has to feed the horses...
I have won money on various occasions but not overall. I do it for fun and enjoyment.
Do you recall that "gift" to your ol' palwsy-walsy, TLBSHOW? He claims he is going to pay you back.
I learned my lesson in life. If he pays me back he pays me back.
#8. To: We The People (#4)
Sorry, I didn't make it apparent that I was joking.
No harm no foul. I'm just trying to keep this thread I started going for awhile.
I've never won 'big' at a casino and have no plans to visit again. I never lost big either.
At the tavern we have one of those 'not licensed' video slot games. One guy is there every day for hours. There is no way he can come out ahead over time. I call him the millionaire because he's got to be losing tons of money. If you saw his appearance you'd get the joke. He's got to be an addict and I hope it doesn't break him.
#9. To: Fred Mertz (#0)
Is this race today?
#10. To: Fred Mertz (#7)
If he pays me back he pays me back.
I wouldn't gamble a useless US penny on that sucka bet.
#11. To: SJN (#9)
Pimlico - May 19, 2012Race 12 - 6:18 PM
Yes, NBC tv will have live coverage. Post time is 6:18 pm Eastern.
It's a big deal to horse racing fans.
I've read that back in the old days - 30's 40s - the three most popular sports in America were baseball, boxing and horse racing.
I don't know what the top three are today but I know horse racing has faded in popularity since then. It's a tough business today with the economy and all but it will be around for a long time.
I stopped by the track on Thursday since I had the time and I don't like crowds. It was lightly attended as is normal. Sometimes I wonder how they make money year round with all the employees, trainers, horses, owners. Churchill Downs claims that they only make their big bucks during Derby week. It is an American Classic.
#12. To: buckeroo (#10)
I'll be highly surprised too.
#13. To: Fred Mertz (#12)
I credit the Walter Farley, "The Black Stallion" series of books I read as a child for my interest in horse racing.
Great books. Maybe I'll read them again as an adult.
#14. To: Fred Mertz (#11)
ty, I missed the K.D. and these are races I love to watch every year.
#15. To: We The People (#13)
I gobbled up every horse book I could read as a youngster and had my own horses and learned to ride at a very early age. I could grab a hunk of mane and swing a leg up and off I'd go with out a bridle or anything, except my knees to guide the horse. I was a hot shot as a youngster on horse back. But I credit my love for them to my mom and dad but also all the books I could get my hands on.
#16. To: SJN (#15)
But I credit my love for them to my mom and dad but also all the books I could get my hands on.
And a horse trained well enough to respond to knee pressure.
Almost every country in the Middle East is awash in oil, and we have to side with the one that has nothing but joos. Goddamn, that was good thinkin'. Esso posted on 2012-01-13 7:37:56 ET
#17. To: SJN (#15)
I was a hot shot as a youngster on horse back.
I know the feeling.
It's a different world now, but as a child of 12 it was no big deal for me to grab a shotgun, go saddle up Julius or Storm and head up the logging road to go squirrel hunting.
Julius was a mean, old brown quarter horse but Storm was really a horse of a different color. He was a very pale, almost golden colored palomino with a white mane and tail who was very docile and gentle. But if you carried a transistor radio with you he would jump any fence, climb any hill or cross any creek you wanted. He loved music. He was also very large for his breed, but not a bit fat.
My grandpa said he used to be some kind of performance show horse.
#18. To: SJN (#15)
I got to ride an actual, working and competing, cutting (cow) horse in Oklahoma and man, was that a treat.
Fast, turn or stop on a dime. Very well trained horse. I'd never ridden anything like her before.
#19. To: Fred Mertz (#11)
Churchill Downs claims that they only make their big bucks during Derby week
Has there been an arrest in the murder on the Backside?
#20. To: We The People (#17) (Edited)
Interesting childhood memories you have. We had a mare named Midnight and we rode her. She liked walking under trees to knock us off. I remember that! I was about ten at the time.
#21. To: harrowup (#19)
Has there been an arrest in the murder on the Backside?
Not to my knowledge and I've followed the news on it. I predicted that someone would be caught soon after the murder but I was wrong. Puzzling case.
#22. To: Fred Mertz (#20)
We had a mare named Midnight and we rode her. She liked walking under trees to knock us off. I remember that! I was about ten at the time.
LMAO!
Same thing Julius would do, only he'd be running. He'd also try to scrape your leg against a tree, a fence or the barn.
You had to be careful when saddling or brushing him, cause he'd step on your feet!
#23. To: We The People (#18)
It was my Aunt and her family who introduced me to barrel racing and quarter horses. But my love lay with our own Arabians. It was funny growing up at that time because of the Quarter Horse/Arabian feud between the two camps. lol Now of course most breeders recognize there isn't a breed alive that doesn't trace it's roots to the Arab and if you're not throwing an Arab in to your breeding program you've got no program ... or horse.
Yeah those cow horses are incredible!
#24. To: We The People (#22)
My husband who is a "city boy" tells the stories of each and every time as a youngster he ever had opportunity to ride, some *hole would put him on one of those. lol Too funny.
We did have a couple, one in particular that when it was time to end a ride and head home would have loved to have had his head, but my mom and pop taught us to never give them their head when on the way home. You'll have a handful of bad habit horse if you do.
#25. To: SJN (#24)
Julius was just a big bundle of bad habits. He'd go out, grudgingly, but when he was ready to go back, he went back. Didn't matter what you did.
I still liked him though, and he liked me too. Well, he liked me better than anyone else anyway, but still can't say he liked me. He tolerated me is more like it, but I spent more time with him than anyone else did.
Brushing him was like playing chess. You had to constantly know where both his feet and your feet were. LOL!
You just had to be sure to move your foot before his foot got there.
He ate my report card once. I was hiding it because I got a C, and had it out looking at it outside his stall. He grabbed it and ate it!
My parents never did believe that story, but it's true!
#26. To: SJN (#24)
My husband who is a "city boy" tells the stories of each and every time as a youngster he ever had opportunity to ride, some *hole would put him on one of those. lol Too funny.
I've been to a couple riding stables over the years and it seemed like I always got a horse that reminded me of Julius too! LOL!
I think they resent being ridden by so many who they don't even know.
#27. To: We The People (#25)
That's funny as heck! lol
I had a horse that found my blond hair fun to attempt to eat. I still to this day don't believe that animals don't see color because of it.
We did have an Arab/Quarter that we called "Pal" and he was always on the fat side and was like riding a rocking chair he was so comfortable and had an easy gate not matter what, but he was like that (playing chess), when you brushed him and would get ornery when fed his oats, he took off my mothers big toe nail one time. Ground her foot under his while she was grooming him as she ate.
#28. To: All (#27)
while she was grooming him as she ate.
typo/brain fart, "while he ate". Him being a gelding and her being my mom.
#29. To: All (#0)
At the finish it was a two horse race with I'll Have Another passing Bodemeister at the wire to win by a neck. I'll Have Another will go to the Belmont Stakes with a good/fair chance to win the Triple Crown for the first time in 34 years.
Creative Cause showed.
Super exciting race and finish.
#30. To: Fred Mertz (#29)
I'll Have Another will go to the Belmont Stakes with a good/fair chance to win the Triple Crown for the first time in 34 years.
Now THAT is exciting!
#31. To: Fred Mertz (#1)
As a Hall of Fame jockey it is a sad thing for him and it isn't good for the sport either.
Knowing how these jockeys have to rip their guts apart to keep their weight level,
if the jockey's trainer thinks he's ready to ride, that should be the Only test....;}
I look forward to Amerika's Drug Tests falling into the Dustbin of History...;}
#32. To: All (#31)
$100 000
On a Win/Place/Show ticket
Bodemeister
at the
Belmont....;}
#33. To: mcgowanjm (#32)
On a Win/Place/Show ticketBodemeister
Bodemeister won't run in the Belmont according to his trainer, etc.
He's a super horse but the 1.5 mile/12 furlong distance isn't the distance for him when you consider the competition. He's going to be successful at other big races and likely the chalk whenever he runs.
My friend is picking a Dullahan/Union Rags exacta box for the Belmont Stakes.
#34. To: Fred Mertz (#33)
Secretariat's dad, Bold Ruler was the top horse in his day for speed, but did not have the endurance his son had. If ITO has endurance, he has the kick for the home stretch.
I'm rooting for the bargain basement 35,000.00 dollar colt to win. He sure is a handsome animal too. I like his color and build.
Of course there is nothing like sizing up a top horse in person or seeing him or her train.
#35. To: Fred Mertz (#33)
Good. Save me some money....;}
I'll have Another to Win with an Exacta Box to be decided....;}
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