2016 galloping Triple Crown thread

Not a good day to be a horse so far:

2 horses die in first 4 races on Preakness Day undercard

 

Given the abominable conditions, I could see a historically slow race today.

There will also be a firestorm of criticism if there's any kind of mishap.

Given the millions of bucks in stud value of these horses, not to mention the animal cruelty/safety issues, at some point you have to set a standard where you say, "fuck it, wait until tomorrow." They don't run the Indy or Daytona 500s in knee-deep rain.

 

And there goes that. The Triple Crown drought continues.

 

It's up to like eight months.

 

Last year it was, can any horse ever do it again? This year, it's how come that horse didn't do it again? And people call horses dumb.

 

Exaggerator really nailed that triple hoof loop, while Nyquist didn't stick the landing.

 

Because the horses spread out so the jocks could avoid each other's mud, Exaggerator got the rail and a free ride for his run. Giving a come from behind horse the rail is a real good way to get beat.

 

Last year's Preakness was in a monsoon.

 

At a lot of tracks, the rail is horrible in the slop. They'll stay two-wide to avoid the deepest muck. I don't know if that's the case at Pimlico.

 

Before the race NBC had one of their people walking on the track to show how muddy it was. She pointed out the mud was much deeper on the inside -- she sank down past her ankle along the rail, then walked out to the middle where she seemed to be on firm ground. I was thinking about that while watching the race as Exaggerator took the inside track, wondering if it would slow him down or tire him out for his late run. Apparently it wasn't an issue.

 

He had previous run well in the mud and likes the rail. It was good for him if not other horses. But I think the way the field spread out on the track and the quick pace (in mud!) were what were best for him.