Sire: Fish Stick

Dam: Lover Sue

Skipped the Ky Derby and ran on the day before in The G3 American Turf at CD instead and duly saluted, achieving an SRF Speed rating of 100 in the process. Prior start was in The G1 SA Derby won by Chien Ming Wang, where he ran on for a decent fifth but the winner was far too good. Has managed just the one win on dirt, back in January at TAM in The Pasco Stakes over 7 furlongs, so probably asking a lot to win here but stranger things have happened. Trackwork nothing exceptional.

Certainly not the worst, midfield finish likely.

2 Just Too Blue - B. f. 3 (Jan) (Serenity Stables) Douglas R R 121

Sire: Blue Hootch

Dam: Katrinas Wrath

Can Serenity's filly match it with the boys ? The little lady has greeted the judge at her last four starts in a row, with the last two being Grade 1 affairs. She comfortably beat a tidy field in The Ashland at KEE and then held on in a close one to take out The Ky Oaks at CD two weeks back. Has finished in the money at twelve of her thirteen starts, she just keeps on getting better and her last four outings have all earned SRF Speed figs in the 90's. Trackwork pretty average but cannot fault her on current form.

May just sneak into the money.

Trainers comment.

We at Serenity Stables feel that Just Too Blue has worked for, and deserves, her coveted spot in the Preakness. She's won 4 routing efforts in a row in impressive fashion, including 2 straight G1 wins over the top filly competition. We think she's earned the right to face the boys and see what she can do. This is the shortest of the 3 TC races, so we chose this particular race. We're hoping for a top 4 finish which we think could go a long way towards solidifying her lead over the 3yo fillies.

Serenity

3 Flash - B. c. 3 (Mar) (Serenity Stables) Bejarano R 126

Sire: Gone In A Flash

Dam: Spirit Of The Hare

Least experienced starter in the field, with just seven outings to his name and unless Power Brew gets a run, he will be the only starter without a Grade 1 race under his belt. Then again he was a fairly impressive winner last time out in The G2 AR Derby at OP, where he beat Penal Colony by the narrowest of margins and that colt of course went on to run a very good third in The Ky Derby. Last start was five weeks ago, so is well rested up in comparison to the opposition. Trackwork patchy but reasonable.

Certainly has claims.

Trainers comment.

Serenity Stables is thrilled to have 3 entries in this year's Preakness. We know Flash can handle the distance and he returns with Bejarano who took the mount in the AR Derby. His game is speed, speed and more speed. If he can grab the lead like he did in his last, he'll be very tough to catch. He could certainly win this race.

Serenity

4 Fusion - Gr. c. 3 (Jan) (Eastern Equine) Albarado R J 126

Sire: Hold The Spirit

Dam: Babe

The Ky Derby winner comes into this in cracking form and will be shooting for a fourth consecutive win for the second time in his brief but already stellar career. Could hardly have been any more impressive at CD, he started from the widest gate, was four and five wide around the first turn and in muddy conditions dug deep to get up within the shadows of the post. If he can avoid traffic from this inside draw and that probably means sitting on the pace again, he will surely be the one to beat, be it wet or dry. Trackwork generally very good but last work was a bit tardy.

Undoubtedly, the one they have to beat.

5 Timepiece - Bl. c. 3 (Jan) (Serenity Stables) Desormeaux K J 126

Sire: Time Clock

Dam: Kid Joe

Missed the jump in The Derby, got back further than expected and ran into some traffic rounding the home turn. He was never a threat but he was making ground in the stretch and passed a lot of horses close to home before finishing a reasonable fifth. If he gets away a little better this time and gets a reasonable trip, I see him returning to his very, very best and that could easily be good enough. The change to the adds applied to the colt (Lasix back in) looks to be the right call and his last few works could hardely be any more impressive.

Enormous threat.

Trainers comment.

It appears the training staff at Serenity Stables has been inhibiting his ability to race to the best of his abilities. It's been determined that Lasix, the drug used when he won 4 of 5, including the BC Juvenile, will be applied for the Preakness. Additionally, we have made the decision that Guidry has been riding under the influence for the last 2 races. He's been advised of a few quality rehab facilities and Serenity Stables has offered to pay the bill. In his absence, Kent Desormeaux, who has been working him very well of late, has been given the mount. We fully expect Timepiece to run his best race yet on Saturday. We're very excited.

Serenity

6 The Texas Kidd - Bl. g. 3 (Feb) (Thinken Stables) Flores D R 126

Sire: Auto-Generated

Dam: Auto-Generated

I was a big rap for this auto-genned gelding when making my selections in The Derby, he was in my first three and nothing I've seen since has put me off The Kidd. He absolutely flew home behind Fusion, snatching second from Penal Colony at the wire and actually hit the front just past the post but of course there's not a lot of value in that. Can he get there over the shorter journey which is the Prkness ? Certainly but with so much talent on show he may need to sit right on the leaders backs to give himself the very best chance. Trackwork a little patchy.

Danger if close enough.

7 Crazy Town - Ch. c. 3 (Jan) (Unreal Racing) Potts C L 126

Sire: Shaddam

Dam: Time Warp

Last win was in The G1 Champagne Stakes at BEL last October and although he's gone close a few times since and is never beaten by much, he has not been able to get back into the winners circle of late. Ky Derby run was pretty reasonable, rattling home late to finish sixth, just behind Timepiece. Crazy Town was sent out with the combination of Lasix, blinkers and a shadow roll for the first time in the Derby and all of those have been removed for tomorrow, it will be very interesting to see how that pans out. Trackwork very sharp.

Could surprise.

8 Stormy Regent - Gr. c. 3 (Jan) (Double J Stables) Castellano J J 126

Sire: His Excellency

Dam: Storm Force 5

Double J was not entirely sure about running Stormy Regent but he's in the field as we speak and following what was a very nice fourth in The Derby, I doubt that connections will scratch the colt now. He covered more ground than the early explorers at CD so given a little luck and a run a bit closer to the rail, he may really figure in the finish tomorrow. Probably much like The Texas Kidd, if he is just behind the pacemakers at the turn, he could give this a real shake but it's not going to be easy. Trackwork usually quite good.

Midfield finish looks likely.

Trainers comment.

Stormy Regent may not make the trip to the Preakness and wait for the Belmont race.. since the horse prefers the longer front stretch..
Thanks
JJ

9 Chien Ming Wang - Bl. g. 3 (Mar) (Australia Wide) Prado E S 126

Sire: Cool Breeze

Dam: Wang Dang Doodle

Attracted plenty of support in The Derby but never really fired a shot, certainly capable of better as his slashing win in The G1 SA Derby proved (SRF Rating of 102) but fair to say he can be somewhat inconsistent. Gelding has largely settled him down but he has looked a bit flat in a couple of races since. Yet another who's chances will look good if he is handy at the turn and he's capable of being there but I tend to think some of the others look just a touch more reliable. Workouts usually pretty reasonable.

But looking elsewhere.

10 Fire One Up - B. g. 3 (Feb) (Double D Stables) Migliore R 126

Sire: Tennesse Jed

Dam: Swisher Sweet

Stepped out for The Derby in very, very good form, having run two close thirds at G3 level (The Holy Bull at GP and The TAM Derby) followed by a length and a half win over Grumpee in The G1 BG Stakes at KEE and he began well, sitting just off the pace early in the piece but quickly dropped back in the middle stages, fading to finish well back in 13th place. Hard to see him improving enough on that run to be a factor here. Trackwork usually pretty good but a tad up and down.

Tall order.

11 Odelay - B. g. 3 (Jan) (Spinetingling) Espinoza V 126

Sire: Double Trouble

Dam: Pasaje de Vieques

Managed to string four consecutive wins together, culminating in victory in The G2 Lewis Stakes at SA in early March, earning a SRF fig of 102. Followed that up with a slightly sub par performance in The G2 Lanes End Stakes at TP and was rewarded shortly afterwards with a visit from the vetrinary surgeon. Next outing was in the big one at CD two weeks ago and to be honest he looked far from interested. Spinetingling will no doubt be hoping the muddy track was the key factor in Odelay's poor showing. Trackwork just reasonable.

Not on Derby effort.

12 Penal Colony - Bl. c. 3 (Jan) (GlueFactory) Baze R A 126

Sire: Fancy Dancer

Dam: Frigid B

This colt was horribly underated in The Derby, he just keeps on improving and does everything Glue asks of him. Definitely looks better going straight to the front and was able to do that from gate 18 in The Ky, so I doubt that the 12 hole holds any great fears for connections. The slightly shorter trip tomorrow will surely be of some assistance and if the colt does go straight to the front and the chasing brigade get themselves into a tangle behind him, he could easily steal this. Trackwork ordinary but does his talking on raceday.

Will be very hard to run down.

13 Set Sail Sinbad - Bl. c. 3 (Jan) (Power Racing) Fogelsonger R 126

Sire: Sinbads Power

Dam: Look Out

Power is praying for clear blue skies at PIM tomorrow in order to get his first ever TC entry to the starting gates. Having missed the Ky Derby and run last up in The G2 Coolmore Lexington at KEE (4th behind Strollin Donzet) in late April, the colt comes into this pretty fresh. Also ran fourth in start prior to that in The Wood Memorial at AQU, which is his only start to date in G1 company. Saluted at three of four starts previous to that, so is in pretty good form but this is a lot harder. Trackwork reasonable.

Tough assignment.

Trainers comment.

Set Sail Sinbad might not finish first, but I don't think he will finish last....If the track is wet, he will be scratched.....I have never had a starter in any TC race before, so I gotta break my cherry sometime....Just happy to be in the show, and post 13 isn't all that bad...I could of had the 14 hole...lol....

Power Racing.

14 Oriental Baby - B. c. 3 (Feb) (Neddynewnops UK) Chapa R 126

Sire: Martial Art

Dam: Dance Baby

Has actually finished in the money at five of his six starts in Graded company but is yet to win at that level and this represents a sizeable step up from his last win, which came in The ungraded Orbit Stakes at HOU. Has to be said, the colt seems to be losing form at the moment rather than running into it, so he would need to turn things around dramatically to have a shot in this star studded field. Trackwork just fair.

Too hard.

15 Colins Ransom - Bl. c. 3 (Feb) (Mshot Stables) - Also Eligible - 126

Sire: Current Issues

Dam: Camron Diaz

More than a reasonable chance to slip into the race, bearing in mind that Power has stated that Set Sail Sinbad will be scratched if the track at PIM comes up wet tomorrow, Colins Ransom was well fancied in some quarters for The Derby two weeks back but put in an absolute shocker. Perhaps the track conditions did not suit, which would make it ironic if he squeezed into The Prkness because of it but .. he did in fact win The G3 Holy Bull at GP on a track rated as sloppy. Trackwork fair.

Capable when right.

16 Hollywood Moon - B. c. 3 (Jan) (Whitewater Stables) - Also Eligible - 126

Sire: Black Moon

Dam: Hollywood Breakfast

Hollywood Moon was never better than four wide for the entire trip in The Ky Derby and only really began to tire in the closing stages before running a reasonable ninth. Perhaps looked a little flat in running sixth in The G1 BG Stakes at KEE prior to that but proved he can do better with wins for Whitewater at two of his first three starts in big Bills colours. If he somehow manages to snag a start, he might just sneak into the money. Trackwork handy.

Perhaps some value at odds.

17 Power Brew - Ch. g. 3 (Feb) (JHamilton) - Also Eligible - 126

Sire: Home Brew

Dam: Power Pajama

Unlikely to gat a start but is in reasonable form having scored at three of his last four outings and started as a red hot favourite in all of them. Although well beaten, he finished well inside the old track record for 1 1/16th of a mile on turf at AQU last time out and posted a SRF Speed rating of 100 in winning The G3 Transylvania Stakes at KEE prior to that. Trackwork just average.

Tall order.

So, in summing up, how do I see things unfolding in The Prkness.

It really does look like a tremendous race on paper.

As I see it, Fusion, Timepiece and Penal Colony are the "Big Guns", The Texas Kidd should be a factor in the stretch, the little filly Just Too Blue could very well upset the boys and Crazy Town could be value at reasonable odds.

My Selections.

1^{st - Penal Colony  (GlueFactory) Baze R A}

2nd - ^{Timepiece  (Serenity Stables) Desormeaux K J}

3rd - ^{Fusion  (Eastern Equine) Albarado R J}

Dangers - Just Too Blue, The Texas Kidd, Crazy Town

Good luck to one and all,

Turf ‘n’ Dirt,

Aka Downunder,

Over and out.