Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

JJs Rocket — Mon, 21 May 2012 21:38:15 GMT

It was a great race and im looking forward to the Belmont. Have to admit that I am a Bode fan and he was my pick to win. Made alot of money with several superfecta tickets which was more luck than skill on my part. Used the derby horses and the 4 as my only longshot singled in 3rd and then in 4th on all tickets. Better lucky than good anyday.

I really do like Doug as a trainer but would have to say that milk shakes does help performance. The reason is that your muscles build up lactic acid when used. This lactic acid is what makes your muscles get tired so your muscle performance goes down as it builds up during use. The baking soda milk shake helps to nutrialize this lactic acid so your muscles do not get tired as fast. He hasnt been caught lately so im ok with him and his training methods.

Hope all the horses have a safe trip and we finally get that triple crown. I will be cheering him on all the way home but betting against him at the windows. Sure does look like he can run all day and we will finally get that TC.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

Lynda Hernandez — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:59:24 GMT

Sounds like Creative Cause is a 50/50 possible entrant for Belmont. Just wondered why you feel that a 1 1/2 mile is his distance and any theories as to why he was 8 3/4 lengths behind Bodemeister and I'll Have Another in Preakness? Creative Cause has been my pick all along as well but he seems more suited to a mile or mile 1/16.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

marilyn braudrick — Sun, 20 May 2012 18:23:51 GMT

Steve,

Great analysis article-but now there's a hitch-They've sent Paynter to run at Belmont against our triple crown hopeful!! Woe is me to have ever had that dream about Paynter in February. I so want that triple crown win but I've been pulling for Paynter all along-since that dream and now he REALLY hits the big time- like Bodemeister lightly raced but intensely so in a short span-I want I'll have Another to win the TC but #13 is my lucky number and I did have that dream-was the Belmont stakes ever called in the old days, some kind of Derby???

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

Matthew W — Sun, 20 May 2012 18:05:50 GMT

It's much harder to win the Triple Crown these days, the Derby field is always huge and so many wait in the wings for the Belmont--after such a taxing race for the smallish chestnut, if he does take The Belmont he will be a truly great horse! Four for four so far this year, and not close to being favored in any of the beautiful wins! Heard Jeff Siegal comment about how much he reminds him of Affirmed, and I said that in your blog before the Derby, he's smallish, determined, push button---and they keep letting him go off at kind odds! Now if we can only get the NY Times to put down the hatchet---I mean, racing needs this! Union Rags and Dullahan may be rested and ready, but I'll Have Another is a grinder who looks like The Belmont is right up his alley--how bout another!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

slewcrew — Sun, 20 May 2012 15:43:28 GMT

Not top of mind for everybody but...any word on Take Charge Indy surgery?

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

Stones — Sun, 20 May 2012 12:02:00 GMT

What an exciting race! Seeing IHA advance on Bode and nip him by a neck goes right up there with my all-time favorite TC moments! You have to figure that Baffert is gonna give Bode a rest and skip the Belmont, but that will be an incredibly exciting race, with IHA having to hold off the likes of Dullahan and Rags.

This has been the best TC season in many years! Thanks for your awesome insight, photos and prose along the way, Steve!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

zarvona — Sun, 20 May 2012 09:52:33 GMT

The Gr. I 1 $million

137th Maryland PREAKNESS Stakes

Pimlico -5/19/09 Race #12

DIRT

time: :23.79;:47.68;1:11.72;

1:36.69; 1:55.94;

[[1:57.50 rough time expected]];

winner:

"I’ll Have Another":

3-1 (7- 5-1-0)

2nd "Bodemeister": (Va.):

+ a neck 2-1 (6- 2-4-0)

3rd "Creative Cause":

+ 8 ¾ 6-1 (10- 4-2-3)

4th "Zetterholm": + 15 21-1 (6- 3-1-0)

5th "Teeth of the Dog";

+ 15 & a neck;

16-1 (5- 1-1-2)

also ran:

"Optimizer": 23-1 + 17 ¼ ;

"Cozzetti" 27-1 + 19 ½ ;

"Tiger Walk" 23-1; + 22 ¾ ;

"Daddy Nose Best" 11-1 + 26;

"Went the Day Well" 6-1 + 29 ¾ ;

&"Pretension" 34-1

11th & last;

late scratches: none;

Order of Finish:

9-7-6-4-2-10-11-1-8-5-3

WIN $8.40 $3.20 $2.80 #9

PLACE $3.20 $2.80 #7

SHOW $3.60 #6

$1 Exacta $9.30

$1 Trifecta $35.40

$1 Super $212.15

$1 High Five (correct 5 in a row)

$1,533.80

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

zarvona — Sun, 20 May 2012 09:44:39 GMT

" [In] 1978 "Affirmed" beat "Alydar" by a nose in the Belmont to become the 11th, and last, Triple Crown winner".

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

zarvona — Sun, 20 May 2012 08:32:59 GMT

From the Net ...

"[Bob Baffert} and [Mike Harrington] are right at the top of horse racing royalty. [When they win],...they win with class and [when they lose], [they]lose with dignity.[W]hen they lose it's because the other horse [was] better. [T]hey are role models for everyone else in the industry."

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

zarvona — Sun, 20 May 2012 01:29:54 GMT

That D&#!%%)! new shooter "Zetterholm" busted my Superfectas, where I had "Teeth of the Dog"; "Went the Day Well"; "Daddy Nose Best" & "Optimizer" all in the 4th leg.

He's NOT a horse, HE's a Cheese stealling RAT!!! ...Good Day ...

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

Dr Drunkinbum — Sun, 20 May 2012 01:28:12 GMT

In Zenyatta-like fashion I'll Have Another tenaciously digs in for a long stretch drive to nail Bodemeister as hats and cookies are flying through the air. I'll Have Another and Triple Crown afficianados desperate for another taste of the Crown after decades of abstinance despite getting strong whiffs of the powerful concoction a few times since Affirmed last conquered the world, don't care that they are still picking chocolate chips out of their hair. Kitchens across America are filled with the smell of baking cookies as we wonder- Is this the right recipe this time? Gutierrez and I'll Have Another are two cool customers sharing a giant oatmeal cookie in a night of celebration. And Bodemeister, gallant in defeat graciously spoke to the media- "That's the way the cookie crumbles. It's horse racing."

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

zarvona — Sun, 20 May 2012 01:24:58 GMT

EMPLOYMENT

OPPURTUNITY!!

DRIVER WANTED !!!

For large recently aired out and washed

‘bandwagon’…

Please, submit a brief resume and

short paragraph as to why you think

you should be considered for the position.

Send to Doug F. O’Neil or to Mario,

the “Iceman”, Gutierrez, Santa Anita.

I swear I went the to Maryland Preakness Stakes today being simulcasted at Colonial Downs Racetrack where ¾’s of the way to the finish some projectionist switched over to a relay of the finish of the 2012 Kentucky Derby. All seems like a dream now.

2- 2-0-0 !!!!

Congratulations to the new 2012 nominee for “Horse of the Year”, “THE MAN”, “I’ll Have Another” cookie, please.

Never heard so many women in line cashing tickets in all my life who repeatedly kept saying the same thing, “I picked him because I liked his name!” --Why do we bother to go through 7 months of aggravation and time spent finding 1 in 600 ‘potatoes’ when they can pick him out,--1 in 20, 1 in 12,--in less than 30 seconds??? , it boggles the mind.-- [[ I wish for all the work that I did that I got a paycheck like Steve does!!! ]

OK, we can say it now and say it loud,--potential--

“TRIPLE CROWN WINNER”!!! ? ? ?

Psssstttt…. There aren’t any “Bird Song” bred horses lurking around in the shadows this year, are there?

[[ Someone please check into the rosters of D. Wayne Lucas’s & Nick Zito’s stables for clarification !! for potential lurkers. Thank You !! ]]

GO BABY GO BABY GO !! , which just might rhyme with

3- 3-0-0 !!!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

SoCalRacer — Sun, 20 May 2012 01:01:33 GMT

update to Preakness, wow what a race I'll Have Another won again upset Bodemeister 2nd time around, well the owner of I'll Have another and trainer Enjoy! for it's short leave. I'll have another will Not have another on Belmont. last time he won the KY Derby by a good distance, now he won the Preakness by a margin.. more like tiring out? if the connection think they can win the Belmont by the same fashion go ahead but Belmont is far longer distance. This is NOT your Triple Crown Winner.. if you believe that he can win the Belmont place your bet at your own risk..

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

fuzzbert — Sun, 20 May 2012 00:56:23 GMT

CONGRATS once again to the O'Neil team!!!! Job WELL DONE!!!! Next stop the history books and #12.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

Irish Punter — Sat, 19 May 2012 23:21:50 GMT

I don't know about the rest of you bloggers/followers but I am having the ride of my life and we still got the Belmont,Triple Crowm,Union Rags Dullaham and the Racing God's to figure out!

T.G We got Mr Haskin to challenge and sustain us!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

Irish Punter — Sat, 19 May 2012 23:08:47 GMT

You heard it here first!

Re- Possible Triple Crown Winner!

Haskin was the first to say "Why not".

He put the idea out for us and is taking us all along for the ride!

What PLEASURE he is giving his fans!

IMHO The Second happiest team in Horse Racing After Team O' Neil is Team Haskin.

What do you think Doc?

Bring on the Belmont!

Waiting with baited breath for more Posts from the King.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

ksweatman9 — Sat, 19 May 2012 22:35:09 GMT

Dare I dream that I may live to see another triple crown winner? My heart rate is near a danger zone right now, so I better sit down. CONGRATULATIONS, "RED". You have heart, you just might pull off the Belmont. The more they say you can't, the more you show us that you can.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

predict — Sat, 19 May 2012 16:07:35 GMT

If Optimizer gets a better break he is the horse to upset the top four. His Derby was better than what it appears. From the first call to the finish, he never lost a length, which in my opinion makes him capable of the distance and dangerous if he gets a better trip.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

Shelby's Best Pal — Sat, 19 May 2012 14:57:10 GMT

I loved the "Bode butt" comment and I enjoyed the article and beautiful photos. Have yourself a great day, Steve Haskin. Thanks.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

Deltalady — Sat, 19 May 2012 14:47:42 GMT

Wonderful post as usual, Steve. My rooting interest is for a TC run, and I do like I'll Have Another. He's pure class, but so are Bode, Creative Cause (who is certainly due to have a big race), Went The Day Well, and Daddy Nose Best, all Derby graduates, I expect to do well. A win by IHA would give a shot in the arm to the sport, guaranteeing a packed house for the Belmont and national interest, all for good reasons for a change.

I watched a couple of the interviews HRTV did with Doug O'Neill, and I have to say he has comported himself well, was peppered with questions about his past troubles and I don't think I've ever seen anyone in that spot any more humble and gracious as he was. A comment by a reader at another site kind of put my thoughts in words: "We all have to play by whatever rules are imposed on us, but it is ironic that it is legal to race horses on diuretics and painkillers, which both enhance performance and harm the horses, sometimes fatally, but we have banned antacids and electrolytes, which do the horses nothing but good and prevent injury. What we've banned in this case is best sports medicine practice. I have a hunch that the ban on milkshakes would never have been enacted if the dosing had been done by the horses' vets rather than the trainers." Virtually all trainers have had past infractions themselves and could not withstand the kind of scrutiny put on O'Neill, IMHO.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

Wrensflight — Sat, 19 May 2012 14:40:46 GMT

Very funny, Steve. I can just hear Bode saying, "Does this race make my butt look big?" As much as I would love to see another Triple Crown winner, there may be too much talent this year for it to happen. But backing IHA anyway. Why not be an optimist?

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

Racingfan — Sat, 19 May 2012 13:15:28 GMT

I'm hoping for a win by I'll Have Another with Bode second.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

Old Timer — Sat, 19 May 2012 13:12:51 GMT

p.s. again I have to say your article on Cozzene and Nerud was one of your best ever and that is saying a lot. Thanks again.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

Old Timer — Sat, 19 May 2012 12:48:11 GMT

Steve,

I second everything that Dr. Drunkinbum said above. I love the photos especially those of Creative Cause.

Two things come to mind. One is the question of the day is Bode another Curlin? Lightly raced and just misses in the Derby. Then explodes to take the next one. Or maybe not. we'll know soon.

I agree that CC is the value play here. He has beaten Bode once already and he almost ran IHA into a dead heat, missing by a nose. At 6 or 7 to 1 how can you not play him?

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Get Your Preak Picks On

fanofallthree — Sat, 19 May 2012 11:30:26 GMT

Don't confuse me with facts - I'm going with Went the Day Well. But, I won't cry if Bodemeister wins. And, should I'll Have Another win, how exciting it will be to think there's a possibility of another Triple Crown winner in just 3 weeks. Safe journeys for all horses and their pilots.