Big Brown A Very Strong Favorite in 2008 Preakness Stakes Field

[I Heart Gambling Online]

Derby Winner Big Brown to Face 12 in Preakness
Casino Drive emerges as serious Belmont Stakes threat.

A Column by Steve Davidowitz
May 14, 2008

With Big Brown moving nicely forward toward the 133rd Preakness at Pimlico on Saturday, it is somewhat understandable that only Gayego is under consideration to oppose him from the 18 that survived the Kentucky Derby. Yet at the same time, Big Brown seems likely to face a surprisingly large field of 12 rivals in the 1 3/16 miles Classic. Where the Derby allowed 20 in the starting gate for its 1 1/4-mile race, the Preakness has a 14-horse limit due mostly to common sense rather than the geometrics of the one-mile track.

As stated here previously, I believe that 20 horses are about four horses beyond the logical threshold for safety at Churchill. While that played no role in the death of Eight Belles after her gallant second-place finish, a 20-horse field is an accident waiting to happen.

As for the Preakness, Big Brown certainly will be a very strong favorite to add the second jewel in his quest for the Triple Crown. But there are no free squares in Triple Crown racing, which is why so many new shooters are being sent to Pimlico to face him.

Among the Preakness probables are the following 13 horses:

Big Brown, undefeated winner of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3rd.

Behindatthebar, winner of the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on April 19th.

Gayego, solid winner of the Arkansas Derby on April 12th, who faded early while finishing 17th in the Kentucky Derby.

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