Despite buzz of Big Brown, Preakness handle down
After four straight years of handle topping $87 million, wagering on the Preakness program declined 15.8 percent in a year-over-year comparison with the 2007 card. All-sources handle, not including separate-pool wagering, was $73,457,510 for the 13-race card, according to data released by the Maryla... read more
Big Brown leaves for NY
Preakness and Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown left the Pimlico Race Course stakes barn on Monday and headed for New York and the June 7 Belmont Stakes. “I am feeling pretty confident about things,” trainer Rick Dutrow said. “I can see that he is sharp. Yesterday he was bouncing and... read more
Macho Again’s plans up in air
Macho Again, a surprising second in Saturday’s Preakness, came out of the race in good order and was shipped back to trainer Dallas Stewart’s barn at Churchill Downs on Sunday morning. “He looked to be fine,” Stewart said. “He ate well (Saturday) night. Of course, we didn&#... read more
Icabad Crane may run in Belmont
Trainer Graham Motion said Sunday that he would consider taking Preakness third-place finisher Icabad Crane to the Belmont Stakes. “I think it’s definitely a possibility,” Motion said. “Obviously, we want to see how he is, but I think (jockey) Jeremy (Rose) feels that the dis... read more
$50M for Big Brown
The owners of Preakness and Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown have agreed to a $50 million deal to syndicate the horse’s breeding rights to Kentucky’s Three Chimneys Farm, NBC Sports reported. Michael Iavarone, co-president of IEAH Stables, said he could not confirm the $50 million figure ... read more
Giant Moon too fast in practice?
Giant Moon, who has the No. 11 post for the Preakness, breezed a half mile this week a little faster than Richard Schosberg had wanted, but the trainer said the time of 47.77 seconds wasn’t a problem. “It’s not like he worked [five furlongs] in :57,” Schosberg said. ” &... read more
Zito wants to keep dirt tracks
In response to the recent PETA suggestion that horse racing go to all-synthetic tracks, Hall of Fame triner Nick Zito said: “My purpose … is to protect the dirt surfaces as good as we can,” he said. Zito made the point that he and his wife, Kim, work daily with a horse shelter to r... read more
Weekend Preakness TV schedule
Friday, Woodlawn Stakes, Adena Stallions’ Miss Preakness Stakes, Maryland Lottery Pimlico Special and The Very One Stakes; 3:30-5:00 p.m., ESPN2 Friday, Black-Eyed Susan Stakes; 5:00-6:00 p.m., ESPN2 Saturday, Maryland Sprint Handicap; 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., ESPN2 Saturday, Skipat Stakes and G... read more
Preakness Stakes preview
Saturday’s 133rd Preakness Stakes is all about two horses: One who will run in the race and one who won’t. Of course, the horse most everyone will be watching is Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown, who drew the No. 7 post in a field of 13 and is the overwhelming morning-line betting favorite at 1-2... read more
Tres Borrachos gets in final Preakness workout
Tres Borrachos galloped 1 5/8 miles at Churchill Downs on Monday in preparation for his final pre-Preakness workout. “(Jockey) Tyler Baze will come in to breeze him Tuesday and then we’ll ship to Pimlico on Wednesday,” trainer Beau Greely said. “My thought coming into the Pre... read more