Just as important as who is in the running of The Preakness Stakes is who is not returning from the Kentucky Derby.  The Derby winner Orb comes into Pimlico healthy, wealthy and in excellent company. Top US rider Joel Rosario has been on fire since moving his tack east this year.

With Julien Leparoux falling in love and moving to the West Coast and the couple of major accidents to New York’s top rider John Velazquez – Joel Rosario has filled the void perfectly. Also part of the connection includes veteran trainer and one of the most respected and successful horsemen around, Claude R. McGaughey III – just “Shug” to most.

Orb is the real deal and with his handlers you can surely count on this colt to be ready for the run for the Black Eyed Susans.

Let’s look at the rest of the Derby field in order of finish:
2nd Golden Soul (out) and heading to the Belmont Stakes
3rd Revolutionary (out) also heading to the Belmont
4th Normandy Invasion (was out now in) back out
5th Mylute (in) hot Rosie Napravnik back aboard
6th Oxbow (in) Lukas teams with veteran Stevens
7th Lines of Battle (out) the import is out
8th Will Take Charge (in) another Lukas trained entry
9th Charming Kitten (out) Ramsey’s bowing out
10th Giant Finish (out) Tr. Anthony Dutrow takes tack north
11th Overanalyze (out) another Pletcher horse overrated
12th Palice Malice (out) Todd could do well on fast track
13th Java’s War (out) Look for Leparoux to get another mount
14th Verrazano (out) Pletcher could change his mind on this one
15th Itsmyluckyday (in) Tr. Eddie Plesa and rider Trujillo are in
16th Frac Daddy (out) McPeek/Lebron combo may go to NY
17th Goldenscents (in) Krigger was smart enought to save at end
18th Vyjack (out) Tr.Rodriguez/Gomez late decision to opt out
19th Falling Sky (out) last in derby is done should be a rule

New comers heading to Pimlico – coming in fresh and ready:
Titletown Five – still a questionable starter for the Preaknesss
Departing - winner of Illinois Derby with Tr.Stall/Hernandez
Govenor Charlie - Baffert entry and winner of Sunland Derby
Street Spice – the question here is why? – Sanchez rides

Since this 2nd leg of the Triple Crown is 1/16 of a mile less than the Derby, this distance not only helps Orb BUT if the track conditions are fast then it could mean a wild, wild finish.

Other factors include weather, pace, readiness, strategy and post position just to name a few. The Track Philosopher spends hours figuring all that for you. So stop by, pick up your full Preakness card and head on out to the track or OTB. Or, pop some corn, fix your beverage of choice, bet online and watch it in your TV room.

If you’re planning on watching the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, the first Saturday of May, make sure you pick up a bottle of Kentucky bourbon and some fresh mint to make your own mint juleps.

Mint Julep Recipe (makes 1 serving)

4 fresh mint sprigs

2 1/2 oz bourbon

1 tsp powdered sugar

2 tsp water

Muddle mint leaves, powdered sugar, and water in a collins glass. Fill the glass with shaved or crushed ice and add bourbon. Top with more ice and garnish with a mint sprig. Serve with a straw.
The mint julep is well-known as the traditional beverage of the Kentucky Derby, a position it has held since 1938. Each year almost 120,000 juleps are served at Churchill Downs over the two day period of the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby.
The mint julep originated in the southern United States, probably during the eighteenth century. U.S. Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky introduced the drink to Washington D.C., at the Round Robin Bar in the famous Willard Hotel during his residence in the city.
No matter where it came from or what brand of bourbon is used it is a refreshingly cool, outdoor summer beverage for spring at the race track but give someone you know whose not drinking your keys to keep you safe and your wallet to keep you from betting it all on that horse you just saw trot by because you liked the braided tail.

(…. and for women who keep their men “stylin’”) In the early years of the last century it was customary for men to wear hats as part of their daily attire. Take a look at most sporting events of 50 to 100 years ago. Men’s fashion in those days were suits, sport coats, ties, dress shoes and of course the hat to bring it all together. As you can see in this race track photo from yesteryear hats were the fashion.

Somewhere around the early 60s’ and about the time of Elvis and the Beatles, head apparel disappeared altogether and long hair and big hair came into fashion. Into the 70′s, hats came back in the form of the baseball caps. But the brimmed hats of long ago are, over the last dozen years, slowly making a comeback and are the thing to wear to sporting events of all kinds these days – like the local race track and especially to The Kentucky Derby. Here are some things to know when choosing a great hat.

Hats that were once popular but haven’t returned:
(and probably for good reason)

No matter what style you like it’s important to make sure it looks good on YOU. Big men look better in the wide brim just as leaner fellows look better in the Trilby. Make sure it fits – not too big and not too small but just right and very comfortable. It needs to look like it’s a part of you. Like this guy.

And if you don’t have feathers put a dollar or a parking stub in your brim. And as a last resort use some wager tickets – I’ll bet you’ll have no problem finding a few of those around. Whatever you wear look good and feel good – dress for success at the track.

Remember, that you don’t have to look at yourself but others do, so show some consideration and leave the t-shirts, the ball caps and the ragged shorts at home. That’s all the fashion to do yard work not attend the pageantry of thoroughbred racing. If we all wanted to see hairy legs we could stay home in front of a mirror.
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Let’s not let the ladies have all the fun with their wonderful hats and their gorgeous summer dresses. Guys, let’s bring it up a notch.And don’t forget, when you do pass a lady at the race track it’s customary to tip that nice looking head wear that she will be so obviously admiring.
For a great selection of hats that look sharp at the track – go to the Fedora Specialists and pick one out that’s YOU!

RE-POSTED

The 10 cent Pick-6 will be awarded to one unique ticket. On days there are multiple winners, 60 percent of the pool will be shared equally while 40 percent goes back into the jackpot.

That is the official description of the “Rainbow” pick six at Gulfstream Park.  The ten cent entry fee makes it possible for the small player to have a chance with multiple entries at a low price. But the big players get an advantage also. A $25 bet can fetch up to 3 horses a race in each of the six races and for about $470 you get 6 per race and for about $10K you can cover almost every combination (10 per race), and that would be almost a sure winning ticket!

Now here’s the catch – you have to have the ONLY winning ticket to get the total prize.  And that is the equalizer since the payout with multiple winners is only 60%, your payout with the carryover at say $800K could range from $240K to, let’s say, $1,000 depending on how many betters hit all six. But that would be an advantage to the big players again.  Even with 12 horses a race the cost goes up to $30K (to cover every possible combination) and if you have 14 high rollers doing that then nobody will win it all and the big money will break even.

Then when the 60% is removed, the lower payout to the wheeler dealers is too risky to spend the big bucks to cover every bet. And that may open it up to the small better again.  But as long as the carryover is astronomical the big spenders will be fighting it out for the 60%.

And look for this monster to come to a finale, if no loner wins it all, on the last day of the Gulfstream meet when it will become a “mandatory payout”.  That will bring people out of the woodwork and into the tracks and to the simulcasting sites across the country.

This lure of the huge payout is adding to the attendance numbers at many locations across the country.  It has been a boon to Gulfstream, simulcasting sites and to our wonderful sport.  Thank you Gulfstream Park for this little pot of gold at the end of your Rainbow Pick Six.

1905 – On February 24, Oaklawn Park Race Track opened its doors to a crowd of some 3,000 race fans. The day was declared a half-day holiday by Hot Springs officials.

1907 – Due to political problems in the state, racing was suspended.

1916 – Racing resumed at Oaklawn. The track is now owned by Louis Cella.

1936 – The Arkansas Derby was born with a purse $5,000.

1945 – Racing throughout the United States ended for an indefinite period at the request because of WWII. A 30-day season was held on November 5 through December 8 for the lost Spring meet. On opening day, an estimated crowd of 4,200 attended, and $189,289 was wagered.

1952 – Oaklawn gained national attention when its handle rose from a daily average of $336,341 to $434,667. Attendance climbs from 7,057 a day to 7,739.

1959 – The Meeting reached two milestones when its averages reached 10,000 in attendance and $500,000 pari-mutuel handle.

1960′s – Par 3 golf course in the infield was used in the off season.

1965 – Arkansas Derby purse increased to $50,000.

1970 – Records continue to be broken. During the 50-day meeting, a total crowd of 556,000 attended and bet $43,366,921. The average attendance was 11,120.

1973 – The first running of the Fantasy Stakes, for 3-year-old fillies, took place.

1974 – The Racing Festival of the South was born.

1980 – More than 250,000 fans attended the Racing Festival of the South. Temperence Hill won the Arkansas Derby.

1983 – Largest Average Daily Attendance Record Set 23,271 (still stands)

1984 – The purse for the Arkansas Derby was increased to $500,000.

1986 – The standing record single day attendance of 71,203 was set.

1991 – The Oaklawn Club was completely renovated.

1996 – Oaklawn Park race track achieved a record handle of $10,653,518 on Arkansas Derby Day.

2000 – Instant Racing, a pari-mutuel electronic system which allows players to wager on previously-run races, was introduced and field-tested at Oaklawn Park race track.

2011 – The average daily attendance grew 3% in 2011 from 2010 levels to 11,649.  Arkansas Derby Day saw an attendance of 62,364

There has never been a turf track at Oaklawn Park.
Horseplayers Association has ranked Oaklawn Park as the 9th best track in all of North America.  And, in my opinion, should be a “must see” by all who love the sport of Kings.