Wed May 14 14:36:25 2008

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Preakness Stakes is Big Brown's to lose

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Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Coming out of the Kentucky Derby, it appeared that this year's Preakness Stakes could be a walk-over for Big Brown. He proved that post position is no deterent to him when he easily went from post 20 in the Run for the Roses to the winner's circle at Churchill Downs.

Big Brown has won his four career starts by almost 34 lengths, the Kentucky Derby win was by the smallest margin of 4 3/4 lengths. While speed is the name of his game, the colt showed in the Run for the Roses that he doesn't need the lead early to win the race.

"If we draw the outside, it would make me very happy, but we don't have a choice, so we're going to take what comes," said trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. "I'm pretty confident things are going to be okay with him come Saturday."

The Preakness has special meaning for Maryland-native Dutrow. His father Dick was one of the top trainers in Maryland in the 1960's and 70's.

"Every time Preakness would roll around, dad would win a race on Preakness day," said Dutrow. "Naturally I would love to win a race like that. It's where I grew up. Most of the traits of the game are right there at Pimlico, Bowie, Laurel. I'm going to see a lot of my friends. I can't wait to get there."

A total of 12 three-year-olds will challenge Big Brown in the middle jewel of racing's Triple Crown. Several are speed horses, including Arkansas Derby champ Gayego.

The lone local winner is Icabad Crane who captured the Federico Tesio Stakes here in April. The winner of the Tesio normally gets extra support from the local horseplayers.

Icabad Crane has three wins in four lifetime starts. He likes to come from off the pace and will have Jeremy Rose in the irons. Rose was the winning jockey three years ago when Afleet Alex won the Preakness after nearly crashing to track coming into the stretch.

Gayego will be the only Kentucky Derby starter to run in the Preakness. It will be the sixth time since 1918, and the first since 1980, that just two Kentucky Derby runners will start in the Preakness Stakes.

Several of the starters are coming out of winning efforts in their last race. Behindatthebar captured the Lexington Stakes, Hey Byrn won the Holy Bull Stakes at the Preakness distance and Macho Again took the Derby Trial.

Racecar Rhapsody was fourth in both the Lexington and Lane's End Stakes. his only two starts this year.

"He's going to run his race," trainer Ken McPeek said. "We've just got to hope that Big Brown has got a hole in him someplace. We're coming with a horse that is ready. That's the biggest thing we can do."

Yankee Bravo finished third in the Louisiana Derby before a fourth place finish in the Santa Anita Derby.

Tres Borrachos is coming out of a third place finish behind Gayego in the Arkansas Derby.

"My thought coming into the Preakness is that he should like the tight turns and the sharp track. He's improved in every race," said trainer Beau Greely. "He ran a nice race in the Arkansas Derby. I liked the way he hung in there. His back form is good."

Giant Moon was fourth in the Wood Memorial, beaten two lengths by Tale of Ekati.

"The six weeks between the Wood and now I think will be good for him," observed trainer Richard Schosberg. "He's got to step it up. It's a whole different league of horses, but he represented himself well in the Wood."

Riley Tucker is coming out of a third place finish in the Lexington to Behindatthebar. He was second in the Transylania Stakes.

Stevil was fourth in his last effort in the Blue Grass Stakes. It was a tough trip for the colt trained by Nick Zito. Still, Stevil was beaten by just 2 1/2 lengths in the Blue Grass.

Kentucky Bear was also in the Blue Grass where was third behind Monba and Cowboy Cal.

"I think he's at the top of his game," said jockey Jamie Theriot. "In the Blue Grass I think it was just a lack of experience coming down the lane with the crowd and everything. He kind of hung on that left lead. I think now he's mentally ready for this kind of race."

To make money in this year's Preakness Stakes trifecta wagers appear to be the way to go. Box Big Brown, Gayego, Icabad Crane, Hey Byrn, Yankee Bravo and Macho Again.