Preakness Stakes Contender and Jockey Combos to Watch
by Patricia Woo | May 11 2009
Few people predicted that Mine That Bird, winless all year and the last-place finisher in the 2008
Breeders' Cup Juvenile, would turn out to be this year's Kentucky Derby champion. But most would agree that much of Mine That Bird's success in the Derby was due to the incredible skill of his jockey, Calvin Borel. But the duo will not reconnect for the second leg of the
Triple Crown series - and so Bodog Racebook takes a look at some of the horse-jockey combinations with the potential to make Preakness Stakes magic on Saturday, May 16.
The power couple in the Preakness lineup is undoubtedly Calvin Borel and Rachel Alexandra. They have been lightning in a bottle all season long, combining for all four of her victories this year - including her 20 1/4-length powerhouse romp in the Kentucky Oaks on May 1. Known for saving ground by riding along the rail, Borel won the
Kentucky Derby this year aboard Mine That Bird in true "Bo-rail" style, echoing the winning Kentucky Derby ride he had in 2007 with Street Sense. Borel lost the 2007 Preakness to Curlin by the slimmest of margins; 2009 could be the year he redeems that loss with Rachel Alexandra.
At first glance, Tone It Down seems to have the smallest chance of all the entries to win the
Preakness Stakes. His most recent outing was a third-place finish in the Federico Tesio Stakes on May 2; prior to that, he won an allowance/optional claiming race on April 1 for trainer William Komlo. But he is the only contender in the field with any recent race experience at Pimlico Race Course where the Preakness will be held (also the home of the Federico Tesio Stakes) and he will have the experience of jockey Kent Desormeaux at the reins. Kent Desormeaux has won the Preakness twice, in 2008 with Big Brown and in 1998 with Real Quiet. The duo of Tone It Down and Kent Desormeaux could be dangerous come Preakness day, and are worth keeping an eye on.
Big Drama and John Velazquez are another team worthy of note. Though Big Drama won the Delta Jackpot Stakes in December with Eibar Coa, Coa opted to stay with his 2009 Kentucky Derby mount Musket Man for the Preakness. But Big Drama, who also finished first in the Swale Stakes on March 28 with a Beyer Speed Figure of 108 but was demoted to runner-up upon review, was not left without a rider for long. John Velazquez, who has saddled champions like Commentator, Indian Blessing and Quality Road, was quick to take up the reins. Velazquez's most notable Triple Crown race win was aboard the filly Rags to Riches in the 2007 Belmont Stakes. Velazquez managed to overcome a stumble out of the gate by his mount, launch a bid for the lead at just the right time and hit the wire first. He will have a shot at his first Preakness Stakes title with Big Drama.
Who is your favorite Preakness Stakes horse and jockey combo?
Bet on the Preakness Stakes with the Bodog Racebook.
