PIM 5/17/2008 Post Time 8:25 EDT

5th Running of THE PREAKNESS STAKES Grade I   Purse $1,000.000 For Three Year Olds

The group of fourteen three-year-olds loaded like perfect gentlemen - the crowd sparked - you could just feel the electricity in the air. The doors opened, the bell rang - and they were away in the 2008 running of The Preakness Stakes. Past the roaring grandstands for the first time, Misterkatesmith was showing early speed and had a length advantage over Generalmajor. They were lined-up across the track, a half length behind that one, seven wide. Echo Wave was still very wide, a length behind that pack, as Power Of Sinbad stayed by the rail on even terms with him. Gold War Paint was two more behind that one, Central Block Party to his outside and Date With Destiny was the early trailer, some ten lengths from the early leader.

As they made their way through the turn, quite a few horses were fighting for position and were extreemely wide. Misterkatesmith was on the front, Generalmajor still tracking that one as Wild Bill, about six from the rail, began to move up. North Of The Border was just to his inside, along with Half Spirit. Three quarters of a length back to Hidden Scriptures, with Stiletto Choice outside of that one. Tough Test was tucked in behind that pair, the came Lord Of The Mountain, Echo Wave was able to get a better position, another length back to Power Of Sinbad and Gold War Paint. Central Block Party had not lifted a leg and Date With Destiny could still see them all.

They continued down the backside to the far turn, with three furlongs to run - this race was just taking shape. Misterkatesmith still had the lead, but it was now down to a neck as North Of the Border was flying up in the middle of the track. Generalmajor was still right in the mix and Half Spirit had a clear lane right on the rail. Wild Bill was wide, but still two from the front and Hidden Scriptures was on his inside and had a seam to get by. Echo Wave was full of run, but had a wall of horses in front of him - and the stretch drive was underway!

G Gomez tapped North Of The Border and he responded to jet away by two lengths. Generalmajor was not responding and the same could be said for Misterkatesmith. T Thompson gave Half Spirit his head, as the grey had the wide open rail, C Nakatani was asking more from Hidden Scriptures and N Arroyo Jr was trying to thread the needle as Echo Wave was trying to make a run - just over a furlong to run and there was still quite a bit of work to do.

Down to the last 150-yards, North Of The Border was in control and everyone from Calia Stable began to jump, hug and realize that the 2008 Preakness was in hand - as the bay gelding, sent off at 31-1 glided under the wire, winning by two lengths and stopping the timer in a very brisk 1:55.36. Echo Wave broke through and made a gallant run, and took second a length in front of Hidden Scriptures, who continued on very well. The TC was now out of reach for Half Spirit, but he made an extreemley good run, finishing fourth, beaten four lengths.

Generalmajor continued on gamely to be fifth, just in front of Central Block Park who did make-up some late ground. Wild Bill drifted back to be seventh, as early leader Misterkatesmith tired to be eighth. Stiletto Choice was ninth, Power Of Sinbad was tenth, Tough Test never fired and was eleventh, then Date With Destiny, Gold War Paint and a very disappointing Lord Of The Mountain was last in the field of fourteen.

North Of The Border was bred in KY by C. R. Racing, and was sold to his connections prior to starting his racing career, in the Mar 2007 Auction for a mere $11.000. He is by I Am Canadian - Crs Wildkimstogie by Stogie. This was his fourth victory from eleven starts, also posting a trio of second place finishes, and takes his earnings to $1,112.730.

Notes -

The effort of North Of The Border in this race was very similar to his victory in the BG Stakes (GI) at KEE back in April. That was his first race after being gelded - near the pace, a bold move and continued acceleration to the wire. It appears that his poor break in the KY Derby (GI) may have cost him any chance of being close that day.

As for Echo Wave, you have to believe Desha Farms is just wondering what it takes to get through - another bad post, another effort just to get into contention and another effort that came up just a bit short. This is one heck of a horse and I know that sooner or later, this one will go on a streak of wins - the luck just can't stay bad forever.

Hidden Scriptures certainly made a very good account of himself in this race, and the bay colt is another that just seems to come up a length or two short when the money is on the line. He has a ton of talent and I know that the story on this one will be long and prosperous.

The rail did not seem to be kind through most of the PIM races yesterday. What seemed like a god-send may have actually been a curse as Half Spirit was just not able to rally, even with a clear path from the inside position. He certainly put up a valiant effort and the grey colt, and his trainer, has every reason in the world to hold their head high and be very proud.

Further analysis and comment will be forthcoming in another article. We also hope to speak with a few of the trainers and barns of the principals.

8 PIM
       1 3/16m (Dirt). (1:54.48) 5th Running of THE PREAKNESS STAKES Grade I
       Purse $1,000.000 For Three Year Olds
       Field limited to 14 starters, 4 AE with Preference to TC-PRK Qualifications
       Weight 126 lbs 

##		Horse Name	Owner Name	Jockey	Odds		Fin	Time	SRF
4		North Of The Border	Calia Stable	Gomez G K	31.70		12	1:55.36	---
14		Echo Wave	Desha Farms	Arroyo N Jr	4.40		21	1:55.80	---
7		Hidden Scriptures	Hearts Of Steel	Nakatani C S	5.70		31	1:56.19	---
1		Half Spirit	Buckeyebred	Thompson T J	9.30		4hd	1:56.49	---
6		Generalmajor	Jerry Garcia Racing	Coa E M	15.70		53/4	1:56.54	---
12		Central Block Party	Rouck Farm	Albarado R J	4.15		6no	1:56.66	---
10		Wild Bill	Angelos Stable	Velazquez J R	14.85		7hd	1:56.70	---
13		Misterkatesmith	Calia Stable	Dominguez R A	16.40		81	1:56.78	---
9		Stiletto Choice	KC Racing	Bridgmohan S X	14.25		91	1:56.97	---
3		Power Of Sinbad	skyhigh stables	Baze T C	11.85		101/4	1:57.30	---
8		Tough Test	Power Racing	Karamanos H A	10.25		111	1:57.42	---
5		Date With Destiny	5 A Racing	Castro E	24.50		12hd	1:57.60	---
2		Gold War Paint	Angelos Stable	Prado E S	28.95		131	1:57.73	---
11		Lord Of The Mountain	Waldo	Desormeaux K J	25.20		14	1:57.98	---