Preakness - after thoughts

[DonGuido]

Originally Posted by JolyB

The countdown to the Belmont has already begun. I'm sure that NYRA was cheering down the stretch, and praying that Justify could hold off the late charge.

Quite a day of racing, despite the rain, fog and track surface that played heavily to speed.

Chad Brown had already stated that Good Magic would not run in the Belmont under any circumstances. But there will undoubtedly be other challengers - Pletcher was noticeably absent at the Preakness but will have a platoon of fresh horses from which to choose for BEL. Others will say that Justify might be a tired horse from his campaign and could be vulnerably in another three weeks, so will give it a shot.

I know that it is still the state song, but doesn't the Naval Academy Chorus have an issue singing Maryland My Maryland? If you ever listen to the lyrics of the entire song, it is contrary to much of what the Academy stands for. After all, the song we written largely to induce Maryland to secede from the Union and join the Confederacy. Perhaps I'm biased, but as someone who was born in New York, grew up in New Jersey and spent most of my life in Connecticut, I take the reference to "spurning the Northern scum" personally.

Yes, I am a New Yorker at heart (spent all of my formative years growing up in small town Upstate wonderfulness) but been in South Carolina and Texas so long, my slang has become way southern-Texas- friendly for sure. Too bad Frank's not around to sing New York, New York. Maybe Tony can muster up the energy this year.

As for Justy, if he comes out of this race well and is feeling his oats the week before (as Baffert and all will do there best to do), it's hard to believe even the best new comers take him down . . . but then again this is a whole different kind of race.