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The Preakness Stakes turned into a coronation for Afleet Alex and his connections. A solid late run brought home a victory. We almost had a tragedy at the top of the stretch when one our longshot picks, Scrappy T came out in the stretch and caused Afleet Alex to stumble. Remarkably, Alex did not fall, and recovered to continue on to a decisive victory. Derby champ Giacomo was third... Story by MC_Excelsior "The Stick" 5/22/05 - Balitmore, MD. Preakness Stakes run with plea from management to save the track. Even though we do not think Slots will be the savior of our sport, we must also join in asking the MD Legislature to help save their historic track any way they can. With Magna openly floating stories in the press that this may be the last year for the Preakness Stakes in Maryland, it looks like more then an ideal threat. I had to wait until late am to write my Preakness Headline, Stick Fans. Despite my oen feelings about slot machines, I have to say give Pimlico the chance to survive it needs. Its a quick fix, and the industry still has to address the many problems coming in the future. These problems include how to revive a declining fan base, and how to stimulate Horse Racing fans into an enthusiast mode based on competition rather then pure gambling. You don't have to promote gambling as a reason to go to a racetrack, thats prima facie. You need to promote the sport and athletic competition, which is really at the core of drawing new fans from non traditional sources. Slots may be a quick fix for a cash infusion, but I can promise you that Slot Machines alone will not be the savior of this sport. I could not help but be moved by the serious look on Joe Defrancis's face as he pleaded for slot machines at Pimlico. He honestly wants to see Pimlico survive, and we at The Stick Horse Racing dot Com offer our support to his cause. If slots will save the track, then please let them have it. Magna has hinted that the Preakness Stakes could be moved to Gulfstream Park. This was a bit hard to imagine, but if Pimlico does go under, the historic middle jewel of the triple crown would survive. You could see a very large crowd in attendance for the Preakness day card. For the fans who were in attendance, it was a special and exciting day. The Race....yes we did not forget to tell you about that. We almost had a bad spill in the stretch, Stick Fans. One our longshot picks, Scrappy T (we picked him 2nd !) drifted out as he came off the far turn and into the stretch. Afleet Alex was in the midst of making his big late run, and he clipped heels and stumbled badly. It was very fortunate that he did not fall. I have told people who have asked me that it was the fact that when he stumbled, Alex threw out both his front hoofs and was able to keep his balance. Had he only put out one hoof, he would have tumbled over the opposite side and the race would have been marred by a terrible fall. Afleet Alex not only recovered from his stumble, but he ran powerfully enough to win the Preakness Stakes. He may well be the last Maryland Preakness winner. Scrappy T ran a huge race for 2nd place, and we told everyone in our free news article, that this one had a lot of good reasons to like him in this race. Derby Champion, Giacomo finished 3rd, in a respectable performance. People can say whatever they want about Giacomo, but the Derby winner was in the top 3, and he defeated most of the other horses he faced in Kentucky. This proves his Derby was no fluke, and we should all be on the watch for Giacomo in the future. The Belmont Stakes on June 11 should be a fantastic rematch of these 3 horses. Scrappy T may not want a 1 1/2 mile race, but he proved our confidence was well placed in him in this spot. Don't get Mad should return for the Belmont Stakes, and he may relish those enourmous, sweeping turns, and the added distance. Afleet Alex will enjoy Belmont Park also, and now he finally gets a decent rest for 3 weeks before the race. Giacomo may also like Belmont, as he has shown solid closing ability and he looks like he wants distance. Don't count out Giacomo in the Belmont Stakes, he has a very good chance to win. Top Three payoff's and result in the Preakness Stakes, Race #12 at Pimlico 5/21/05 Finished 1st #12 Afleet Alex w/ Jeremy Rose paid 8.60win 5.00place 3.20show Finished 2nd #5 Scrappy T w/Ramon Dominguez paid 11.20place 5.80show Finished 3rd #13 Giacomo w/Mike Smith paid 4.80show Exacta 12-5 returned $152.60 Trifecta 12-5-13 returned $872.00 Superfecta 12-5-13-10 returned $10,362.30 for $1 Fractional Times and Final Time : 2F 23, 4F 46, 6F 1:10 3/5, 1M 1:36, Fin 1:55 Everyone at The Stick Horse Racing dot Com wish to extend our sincerest well wishes to the many employee's and fans of Pimlico Race Course. We hope that a compromise can be reached in your legislature that will help your track survive, and keep all of you employed, and happy at your home in Maryland. We hope your prayers are answered, and that you will be there for all Horse Racing fans around the country next year for the 2006 Preakness Stakes. Gd bless - MC and staff Best Regards and Racing, MC_Excelsior
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