Preakness First, then Magic - by Eric Mitchell

re: Preakness First, then Magic - by Eric Mitchell

Greg R — Thu, 23 May 2013 03:35:45 GMT

What we saw with Orb in the Derby was yet another case of Unbridled's contributing a liking for Churchill Downs to his descendants. You've heard of "horses for courses." This is "breeding for courses." He didn't figure quite as much in the second jewel. At this late date, one could say I have the benefit of hindsight, but even before the Preakness, I was concerned that Orb did not have the same genetic advantage at Pimlico. Besides not having a psycho pace in front of him. Please don't tell me dirt in his face ruined his chances, either. What kind of Triple Crown hopeful is completely discouraged by having an inside trip in tightish quarters? Good luck to Orb and all comers in the Belmont. We can probably expect yet another surprise.

re: Preakness First, then Magic - by Eric Mitchell

Tiara Terces — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:50:08 GMT

Orb breaking from the rail inside Goldencents and Titletown Five, the two most likely to vie for the lead, will be fine. He will save ground behind them and get to the first turn in good order. Then he may need to get to the outside to come around other speed/stalker horses such as Oxbow, Govenor Charley and Itsmyluckyday. The chances are Mylute will be following Orb around again as he did in the Derby. I believe Will Take Charge and Departing will follow rounding out the Super. Still Goldencents may be able to hold on for fourth despite the early speed duel. In fact, the only one that has little chance of crashing the Super will probably be Titletown Five.

If Orb can pull off the victory, I agree with Eric that we have a great shot at seeing a Triple Crown.

re: Preakness First, then Magic - by Eric Mitchell

Deborah Webb — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:36:05 GMT

Anderson said soon after the Derby. “Listen, this horse has the chance to win all three races. If he gets by the Preakness, this could be it. He is a natural 11⁄2-mile horse.”

That's fine, but don't jinx him!

I follow the horse races and have my favorites. Right now, I don't own a horse, but have owned a Saddlebred and an Arabian.

Now, my main hobby is actually showing my Sheltie in competition obedience. We are a bit superstitious because we know anything can happen. A lot of us are actually afraid to say too many good things about our dog before a competition, thinking that another dog's outlandish obedience error is one our dog would never do.

Still. I am very encouraged by Orb. He appears to be making a quantum leap in improvement at exactly the right time in his life. However, this is also one of the best fields I have seen for a long time so he still has his work cut out for him.

My personal experience with any race type horse at all is exercising Arabian horses from the Royal Jordanian Stud, horses that came here back in the 1970s but never raced because of an administrative glitch. I took care of a string of mostly stallions and a few broodmares and race mare prospects.

re: Preakness First, then Magic - by Eric Mitchell

Soldier Course — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:20:08 GMT

"The way he did it, he wouldn’t have blown out a match afterward. Horses that are supposed to be good horses do things like that. Right now I’m on Cloud Nine.”

Shug describes sui generis of Thoroughbred greatness. But to his credit, wise Shug stopped short of calling Orb "great" in these early days of the Magical Mystery Tour.