Black-Eyed Susan Day and An Old Friend

My first day at Pimlico was interesting, let’s just leave at that. It is nice to be at the Maryland track with so much tradition, and the home of one of America’s biggest races. I explored the place inside and out, and came to the conclusion that it is old. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Adding to my interesting first day at Pimlico was the result of the day’s big race. It was strange. In the Black-Eyed Susan, I had decided to play two horses, Seeking the Title and Diva Delite. Neither of my selections would finish the race. Diva Delite clipped heels with C C’s Pal and fell to the track. Meanwhile Seeking the Title, trying to avoid the fallen horse and jockey, unseated jockey Kent Desormeaux. Julien Leparoux, rider of Diva Delite, received medical attention on the track before he was taken to the Hospital for further examination. Leparoux seems to be OK for the most part, but will no doubt feel the hard spill for awhile. Desormeaux and both fillies, Seeking The Title and Diva Delite, avoided serious injury. Leparoux is scheduled to ride Pleasant Prince in the Preakness, while Desormeaux will be on Paddy O’Prado tomorrow. Acting Happy went on to win the Black-Eyed Susan by 1 1/2 lengths in the bizarre running. I was left to wonder…Pimlico, are you trying to tell me something? After the unusual Black-Eyed Susan result, I met some more bad news. One of my favorite horses, Skip Away passed away this morning of a heart attack at the age of 17. Skip Away was a horse I remembered on this blog not that long ago, and a horse I had a great affection for. He was a modern day warrior who danced every single dance. Skippy was a son of Skip Trial, who won 18 times in 38 starts. He ran consistently well in top flight competition over four consecutive seasons, amassing more than $9.6 million in earnings. He was a three-time Eclipse Award winner and the 1998 Horse of the Year. Skip Away was a winner of ten grade 1 races, but today on my initial visit to Pimlico, I could not help but to recall a losing effort. In the 1996 Preakness, I liked Skip Away, as I usually did, and was disappointed he could not never reel in the speedy Louis Quatorze. Skip Away finished second in that Preakness, but had many days of redemption after leaving Pimlico. I am sorry to see a true champion leave us so soon. Rest in peace Skippy, you are one horse I will never forget. Let’s hope that tomorrow is a better today. It should be…tomorrow is Preakness Day.

Winning at My First Preakness

Everyone remembers their first time. Whether it is a first kiss or a first visit to Disneyworld, there is something magical about that first time. My friends, I am thrilled to announce that I will be experiencing an important first this week in Maryland. I know what you are thinking, and no, that’s not it! Please remove your mind from the gutter. I am talking about a horse racing related first time. I am somewhat embarrassed to announce (let me whisper this, so no one else overhears) that I have never been to the Preakness. I have never even been to Pimlico for that matter.  I know it’s hard to believe. I have been going to the races since birth and I’ve been to around three dozen different thoroughbred racetracks. I’ve been to countless Kentucky Derbies and Belmont Stakes, but never once to the Preakness. Why? I have no good answer, but I will finally rectify the sad state of affairs in a matter of days. It’s about time, and I consider completing the Triple Crown as a rite of passage of sorts. And every subsequent visit, no matter how many years later, will be compared with this trip, my first Preakness. I am chomping at the bit to get there, and once I get there I plan to win. ***The remainder of today's column can be found on Youbet.com*** Click Here