Race 8 - The James W Murphy - # 4 Wallyanna (Final Odds 2.90) - No Selection
Race 9 - The Gallorette Handicap - # 3 Somali Lemonade (1.40*) - "A" Selection
Race 10 - The Sir Barton - # 10 Class Leader (1.80*) - "A" Selection
Race 11 - The Dixie - # 9 Utley (7.50) - No Selection
Race 12 - The Preakness - # 3 California Chrome (0.50*) - "A" Selection
As was the case yesterday, not much drama today, as we were again knocked out right in the very first leg, and finished with three out of five winners. We went four deep in that first leg, which meant that we had half the field covered; unfortunately it was the wrong half, as not only did we not have that winner in that contest, we didn't have the Place horse, # 8 Open the Bank (25.10) either. So most definitely not a good showing by us, as our three winners are non-singled Post Time Favorites, and we have no part of either of the two non-Favorites that won.
Oh well; onto the next race.
Meanwhile, those who had the correct Jackpot Pick Five sequence of 4 / 3 / 10 / 9 / 3 were rewarded with a $180.21 payout for their ten cent wager. May God bless them as they spend their winnings.
And here's where I normally sign off. But here is also as good a place as any to share just a couple of points regarding California Chrome.
As I type this the various speed figures (Beyer, Brisnet, etc.) have yet to be published; likewise for any pace figures. But no matter. I'm sure that over the next three weeks leading up to the Belmont every minutia regarding the Preakness, the Derby, and every other race that California Chrome has ever run will be the subject of intense scrutiny. So the only points I want to share here is that, among all the many other things that a Triple Crown Winner would mean to the sport, it would be nice to see Belmont Park Track Announcer Tom Durkin finally get to call a Triple Crown Winner after so many disappointments. And the second point I want to make at this time is that I hope that California Chrome doesn't have to overcome any unexpected road blocks in order to run in the Belmont Stakes.
What do I mean by the last statement? Well, remember a couple of years back in 2012 when I'll Have Another won the Derby and the Preakness and was heading for the Belmont? Remember how the New York stewards decided that I'll Have Another would not be allowed to wear his nasal strip if he ran in the Belmont Stakes? Or remember the headline back in 2008 saying Big Brown Won't Get Shot of Winstrol Before Belmont Stakes? Now, I have no idea what could possibly happen to California Chrome that would be similar in nature. Perhaps the NYRA stewards could rule that California Chrome can't wear those special shoes that keep his feet so comfy. My point is simply that I hope no such silliness actually comes to pass, and that California Chrome is able to compete in the Belmont under the same terms and conditions that he ran in the Preakness and the Derby. And with that I'll sign off.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
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