Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

Soldier Course — Sun, 19 May 2013 17:23:25 GMT

Karen in Texas:

Thank you for the correction about Carry Back's PP in the Preakness. The source I had for the information in my post had stated that there had been only one winner from PP 1 since 1961. I misinterpreted that to mean that 1961's winner Carry Back had run from PP1.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

Forbidden Apple — Sat, 18 May 2013 03:08:39 GMT

Steve, thank you for the photo's of the mighty ORB.

Itsmyluckyday is not a grade I winner, but he is the only horse that could beat ORB.

Race 11 and 12 double at Pimlico might offer a little betting value. I'm playing the Phipps double, Imagining/ORB.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

Terri Drennen — Sat, 18 May 2013 01:56:58 GMT

I just have that 'feeling' about Orb. Why? Look what female family line he is from and resembles, and even has the running style of. From the line that created the greatest filly/mare ever, Ruffian. I am so happy to see that the Janney's kept this line going, pure, strong, and look now what we have. And doing it the old school way. Not the big commercialized breeding farms that are literally ruining the industry with the over and inbreeding of horses, but we have a great, old school trainer in Shug, who deserves this. Orb even looks like Ruffian in so many way, his facial structure, his style star, his rear left only white sock, that has all come down the purity line from Shenanigans, dam of Ruffian and Laughter, who Orb comes down the line from. This family excels at Belmont, and if this boy can make it at the Preakness, I will be screaming for him as he flies by the resting place of his great-aunt, Ruffian, where she rests at peace in the infield at Belmont, to win the TC! We have not had a worthy candidate until now. I truly believe we finally have one now. Old school. Bring the horse racing industry back to what it once was. Go ORB! A safe trip for all, as well.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

Alex'sBigFan — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:25:44 GMT

Karen In Texas & Soldier Course,

Thanks for the info.

Criminal Type,

Loved your take on what Orb is "saying" to Dave Kenney! It's goes perfectly with the expressions on their faces! Don't you live in Maryland? Are you going to the Preakness?

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

Karen in Texas — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:10:27 GMT

Soldier Course,

The most complete source I could find while researching the post positions for previous Preakness winners shows Carry Back starting from gate #4 in 1961. It shows Bally Ache in gate #1 in 1960. I found the Triple Crown connection interesting as well...

horseracing.about.com/.../blpreakwin.htm

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

Linda in Texas — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:15:52 GMT

Orb and Oxbow both look like they are "Dreaming of Julia" in their photos. Both are so finely shaped in their Foreheads, Faces and Noses and i love their soft eyes.

And Mylute, looks healthy, so also

Departing. I really like the heavy structure of the shoulders melding into their legs. To me the heavier muscle mass beginning at the shoulders extending to their legs means the more support they have when they race and helps them not break down so easily. They carry over 60 per cent of their weight on their forequarters. Imagine the pounds of pressure that the forelegs have to withstand.

The muscle mass in my opinion thus helps ease the pressure from their coronets to their gaskins as they place their hooves on the tracks in full out speed. I am not an orthopedist nor a vet. I may be full of superfluous non information just opining. If a horse is heavy and well built but has thin bony legs, i worry.

To see a horse, in my opinion, with heavy forequarters will determine the length of their stride, the smoothness of their gait and the soundness of their legs from their coffin bone to their scapulas as they put so much strain on them with each forceful ground pounding stride.

The horses running in The Preakness all look healthy. I wish them all well.

And Mr. Plesa and Itsmyluckyday are truly bonded. I think ItsMyLuckyDay was saying "Boss i missed the wire at Churchill, so sorry to dash your Triple Crown wishes and saying this race we will give it the old college try, it was a tricky deep gooey track" and Eddie is thinking "it was my fault, i should have trained you on one just like it." But at a tender moment like Steve's timely photo shows,there is nothing like the love of a horse by a human with the same no doubt returned by the horse.

I love them all. And best wishes for safe journeys to the jockeys, horses, owners and trainers.

And i second captainsmistress's

prayerful request regarding their safety.

Thank you Steve.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

Soldier Course — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:59:49 GMT

Carry Back won the Preakness in 1961 starting from PP#1. Like Orb, Carry Back had a late-running, heart-stopping running style. His sire, Saggy, handed Citation his only loss during the 1948 Derby Prep campaign. Saggy stood at Country Life Farm in Maryland, as Orb's sire Malibu Moon once did.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

Soldier Course — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:30:34 GMT

Three Triple Crown winners started from PP #1 in the Preakness? That's an interesting addition to those of us keeping track of the "3" coincidences with Orb. A total of 9 Preakness wins have come from the #1 hole, so that means a third of those went on to win the Triple Crown. Another "3".

Your photos are grand. But I'm at that crazed stage now where I just rushed past all of the ones who weren't Orb. Maybe I'll go have three Woodford Reserves with branch water and start smoking again like Three Chimneys.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

Racingfan — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:01:39 GMT

Great pictures Steve! Thank you! Orb looks great! Love the sweet picture of Itsmyluckyday too! SLEE - I read that Shug is going to saddle Orb in the indoor paddock instead of out on the turf course where there are traditionally saddled....

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

Zen4Zen — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:57:57 GMT

Steve -- Thanks so much for taking us to Pimlico with these wonderful photos! I posted the top one, of Orb in his stall, on my FB p., with a link of course to this blog, and a girlfriend asked me if those were eucalyptus leaves twining around Orb's hay rack. If you have a moment, I'd be very curious to learn what those leaves are -- eucalyptus or something else -- and what special purpose (if any) they serve. Is Orb especially fond of them or are they thought to have special medicinal or other properties? Many thanks and I also very much enjoyed your story about the ill-tempered colt Preakness and his even more ill-tempered owner!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

The Deacon — Fri, 17 May 2013 05:47:44 GMT

Beautiful photos Steve, as always you captured the moment.

Barring any injury or bad racing luck Orb is clearly the best here.

Govenor Charlie with only 3 lifetime races is not seasoned enough for this campaign along with 8 weeks off.

1. Orb

2. Goldencents

3. Will Take Charge

Best of luck to all..........

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

tjconway — Fri, 17 May 2013 01:19:19 GMT

"ORBROCKS"...that's my new password . for the next 30 days! The 3/4 fraction in this race is bound to be much slower.....perhaps 1:11 4/5.....making the finish a little trickier for ORB. This is a hard race to make any profit on. Bet low my friends!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

JayJay — Fri, 17 May 2013 01:17:22 GMT

OH and yeah, the horses too...nice looking animals. Go Jennifer! I hope she wins the Preakness.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

JayJay — Fri, 17 May 2013 01:15:55 GMT

Steve : Thanks for the photos, I love all of Jennifer Patterson's pics.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

Ida Lee — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:20:24 GMT

Thank you so much for the photos. What beautiful animals they all are and each is kept in perfect athletic condition. Verrazano was my Derby horse but I was not overly surprised at Orb's win. This is one talented horse. I just have a sense of destiny with Orb and see a TC in our future. How exciting will that be for this sport and its fans! I can hardly contain my excitement. Having said that, I just want all these boys to have a great race and come back to us safe and sound.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

Criminal Type — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:27:32 GMT

I love the look on Orbs face in the first photo. It should be captioned "thats right I belong here". Also the photo of Orb, looking decidedly put out, and Dave Kenney. Orb says "don't BS me Dave, I know who your horse is". Can't wait till Saturday. I have been having premonitions all week...On wendesday morning I said to my husband, Orbs gonna draw the rail, I feel it. When I got home that evening, I logged on and there it was Orb Draws Rail !! Now, if the rest of the premonition comes true, He will be wearing black eyed susans on Saturday. GO ORB ! (gonna play him with departing, mylute, will take charge and Itsmyluckyday in a super box, etc.)

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

predict — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:13:25 GMT

Wonderful pictures Steve, thanks for sharing.

This year might just might be the end to a long drought, it would be great for racing. Orb looks incredible, like a special horse, in what has shaped up to be an unusual Preakness. Can't say I remember when so many of the race's participants were also in the Derby. And where are the local stars? None this year seems very unusual.

Can't wait to see how special Orb really might be.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

captainsmistress — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:09:22 GMT

Eddie Plesa and Itsmyluckyday brought tears to my eyes. Please God, protect your innocent creations and the jockeys who guide them, hold them in the palm of your hand until they are safely back in their stalls! Also, if You could just give Orb that little something extra, well, lots of us would be super happy!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

prudofrompuertorico — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:00:27 GMT

Looking at the photos on details, Departing looks impressive. I will like to see a triple crowned before it's over for me, 71yo. Emotionally I'm with my fellow countryman Johnny V. Good and safe trip to all.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

slee — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:43:06 GMT

Thanks for the great updates, Steve! One question - why is Orb training in the paddock? Will Shug not saddle him outside in the tradition of the Preakness? Or do horses start in the paddock no matter where they're saddled?

have a fun Preakness all!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

Dr Drunkinbum — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:41:22 GMT

Giddyup

I wonder if the one hole will have any effect on Orb the Magnificent and the trip he gets? Does he overcome any trip for the win or is there enough talent in someone to just hold him off. I just get the sense that it won't be all that easy. I do think that for someone else to win that they are going to have to steal it while Orb gets a very difficult trip that he can't quite overcome in time. Kind of scary to think that Orb the Magnificent is an improving horse that is likely just getting started. I will have him on top of an exotic and also try to beat him in an exotic for the riches over history in one bet, and bet the destiny in another bet. Good luck to all and a safe trip for all.

Alex'sBigFan

Thanks, I appreciated the feedback.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

Jacklyn — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:16:58 GMT

I think it's interesting that Orb's exercise rider & handlers are women! Notice how calm Orb always seems & they don't use a lipchain on him until race day. Don't see that too often! Girl power for the Triple Crown! Maybe it will help change the gender bias in the racing industry. Anyone know how Orb tore his right nostril? Not a new injury...looks old or maybe he was born that way.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

Fred and Joan — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:46:16 GMT

As small breeders in Oregon we appreciate the beautiful pictures of the Preakness contenders and this Saturday it will be tricky to watch our own home bred horse race at Sunray Park and the Preakness on the same day! We enjoy seeing the different locations the horses are photographed in. We hope Orb wins the triple crown and thereby vindicates the old school way of training and breeding racehorses.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

Love 'em all — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:56:28 GMT

You just keep spoiling us with all these wonderful pictures, Mr. Haskin. We just love 'em!

My fav has to be the closeup of Oxbow. First time I've seen him this close! He's even more adorable than I thought ... and so bright-eyed.

Departing is quite THE handsome colt and looks so business-like.

When I see them like this ... I wish they could all win! I feel guilty having favorites.

However, speaking of favs ... these three are the ones for me!

Orb

Departing

Oxbow

"Little JB" is going to get third like Jackson Bend did in 2010. I feel it in my bones.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: First Two Days in Photos

MrPick4 — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:51:14 GMT

Can't wait for Oxbow to get a taste of the track. Hope you spot it Steve(I'm sure you will) ....he finally gets a decent post to work from ...I think he'll make it interesting ...