134th Preakness Field Close to Set

[philcski]

Originally Posted by South Beach Luv

What's up with Papa Clem's snail like work today at Pimilico - 1:05 over 5f

excerpt from DRF...

Papa Clem, Friesan Fire work at Pimlico
By Marcus Hersh
BALTIMORE - Two of the three probable Preakness starters stabled at Pimlico as of Tuesday morning put in timed workouts, with Kentucky Derby fourth-place finisher Papa Clem going a slow five furlongs, and Kentucky Derby 18th-place finisher Friesan Fire a fast five-eighths.

Papa Clem, working alone just after 7 a.m. under Mundo Cedeno, was given an official time of 1:05 by the Pimlico clocker, and was timed in 1:05.23 by Daily Racing Form. According to the Pimlico clocker, Papa Clem posted fractions of 13 seconds for his opening furlong, 25 seconds for his first quarter-mile, 37.60 for three furlongs, 51.80 for a half-mile, and was caught galloping out six furlongs in 1:22. Those times all are slow and slower, but the Pimlico track surface apparently was very deep and laboring before the renovation break Monday. Two other horses worked five furlongs before the break, posting works of 1:06.80 and a crazily slow 1:08.60.

"It's a little slower than I thought he'd go, but I trust Mundo, and he's already fit," said trainer Gary Stute.

Friesan Fire's work came just past 8 a.m., and was done over a track that had been harrowed and watered during the break. Still, the contrast between breezes was sharp, with Friesan Fire, jockey Gabriel Saez up, given an official time of 58.40 for five furlongs. Friesan Fire posted fractions of 12 seconds for his first furlong, 23.60 for his first quarter, and 35 for three-eighths. The track clocker had his half-mile in 47.40, but Daily Racing Form caught the half in 46.94, with a six-furlong gallop out of about 1:11.90.