in Triple Crown Free Picks

Todd Pletcher finally won a Preakness Stakes winner, and even-money favorite, Curlin at the top of the stretch and after a memorable battle through the lane the star filly was able to get her head in front at the wire.

The top pair were well clear of 3rd-place finisher Tiago, who was 5 ½ lengths clear of Hard Spun, by far the most disappointing runner in the race. The order of finish was completed by C P West, Imawildandcrazyguy and Slew’s Tizzy.

No one was surprised that Rags to Riches was second-choice at post time but what was most surprising was the overall wagering for the race. Curlin was only bet-down slightly from his 6/5 morning line, but Rags to Riches rose from 3/1 to 4/1, while Hard Spun rose from 5/2 to 9/2. The two runners who took a big chunk of the betting were Imawildandcrazyguy, sent off at 9/1 against 20/1 morning-line odds, and Tiago who was bet down from 10/1 to 6/1. Fans of Rags to Riches clearly got not only a winner but a better price ($10.60) than most expected.

The race was dramatic from the start. Rags to Riches stumbled leaving the gate while C P West and Slew’s Tizzy went up to set the pace. Hard Spun, widely considered the speed of the race, was under a stranglehold by new rider Garret Gomez and forced to rate behind a dawdling pace. Hard Spun fought Gomez throughout the race, was never allowed to run his race and subsequently was no factor when the real racing began.

Around the far turn Curlin made his move inside while Rags to Riches went outside. They easily cleared the tiring leaders and at the top of the stretch the filly had a head in front of Curlin. From there it was boy against girl and after a spirited ½-mile duel the filly still had her head in front. In the win she displayed the heart, determination and talent of the superstar that she was thought to be. She validated any, and all, expectations before a disappointing crowd of 46,870.

Clearly there is no other three-year-old filly in the country on the same level as Rags to Riches, and she proved there aren’t many three-year-old colts on her level either. Early indications are that she will run back in the Coaching Club of America-G1 before possibly taking on the boys again in the $1,000,000 Travers-G1 at Saratoga. This would, of course, set the table for a match-up against Street Sense.

While we went another year without a Triple Crown winner we did see history made in all three legs of the Crown. In the Breeders Cup Juvenile winner to win the Run for the Roses. In winning the Preakness, Curlin tied the stakes record. And of course, when Rags to Riches crossed the wire first on Saturday she became the first filly in 102 years to win the Belmont, and the first to win it at 1 ½ miles.

And this year’s Triple Crown also brought to the forefront the power of today’s commercial breeding industry. Prior to the Belmont Stakes it was announced that the breeding rights to both Street Sense and Hard Spun had been sold to Darley Stud with the stipulation that both be retired at the end of this year. Once again the rising stars of the game will be retired early, dealing another blow to the fans of racing. Many have speculated that the deal for Street Sense was the reason he did not run in the Belmont.

Racing is a funny game. We were not able to find a Triple Crown winner this year, but we did witness three amazing races. Now we only have a few months, and very few races, left to enjoy the sight of Street Sense and Hard Spun doing what they do best — doing what they love to do.

Wouldn’t it be great for racing to see Street Sense, Curlin, Hard Spun AND Rags to Riches load into the same starting for the Breeders’ Cup Classic? That would be a race for the ages. And well worth a trip to the Jersey Shore.

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