Well, Preakness day is here and the weather seems like it will cooperate. ESPN’s breakfast show was good fun; Street Sense looked alert and ready in his gallop this morning. The Baltimore Sun wants us to enjoy a mint julep or two for the Preakness (since the Black Eyed Susan is a truly revolting drink), but I suggest that the middle jewel could greatly benefit by switching to a Pimm’s No. 1 Cup for official drinking purposes. I could get behind a Triple Crown drink that actually tasted good.
Now, as to the race — Mr. Superfecta is unaccountably convinced that Hard Spun is going to foul Street Sense in the stretch; while I really don’t see that happening, I post this just in case his powers of prognostication prove portentously prophetical.
There’s finally an article or two on some of the other players involved — here’s one on Street Sense’s exercise rider. Another exercise rider for Carl Nafzger is Tracey Wilkes — the wife of assistant trainer Ian Wilkes — and she’s obviously keeping busy as well. Wilkes hasn’t gotten a huge amount of US press for his role in working with Street Sense, but his native Australian media is making sure he is not overlooked. I wouldn’t mind seeing them all in the winner’s circle this evening…but I look forward to a good race, no matter what.
On the record: Street Sense, Hard Spun, Circular Quay/Curlin
I too could get behind better tasting drinks for horse racing traditions. I was unaware Black-eyed Susans were a drink too though. The Baltimore Sun thinks Mint Juleps taste good? I agree the fifth one does, but the first four are just awful.