Preakness Stakes: A Day of Challenges and Triumphs
Hall of Fame Trainers Face Tough Races
Hall of Fame trainers Bob Baffert and D. Wayne Lukas had a tough day at the 150th Preakness Stakes. Their horses faced serious challenges on the track.
Baffert’s Goal Oriented Finishes Fourth
Baffert’s horse, Goal Oriented, finished fourth. The horse had a rough time, bumping with the winner, Journalism, down the stretch. The stewards looked into the contact but decided not to make any changes.
American Promise Struggles Again
American Promise, another horse from Baffert’s stable, finished eighth. This horse had a similar struggle two weeks earlier in the Kentucky Derby, where it finished 16th.
Trainers Reflect on Their Horses’ Performances
Both Baffert and Lukas were disappointed. They didn’t get the results they hoped for from their colts in the Preakness.
Baffert’s Thoughts on Goal Oriented
“He didn’t get to run his race,” Baffert said. “I wanted to see him on the lead. Maybe he would have stopped, I don’t know. He is lightly raced. He ran well, but he is still green. He was not used to being behind horses and he got intimidated.”
Lukas on American Promise
American Promise’s jockey, Maryland native Nik Juarez, said the horse “just didn’t have it.”
“When he got bumped and roughed up a little bit, he kind of threw his head and quit on us,” Lukas said. “I didn’t like the way he responded. I just think that attitude-wise, we’ve got to change it a little bit.”
Irish Trainer Brendan Walsh’s Close Call
Irish trainer Brendan Walsh’s horse, Gosger, went off at odds of 15-1. Gosger was poised to pull a big upset but fell short due to Journalism’s remarkable run from the middle of the pack to the finish line.
Walsh’s Reflections
“I thought we were home when he opened up,” Walsh said. “I’m disappointed not to win it, but I’m not disappointed in the horse. He ran a great race. He is an improving horse and he will improve off this.”
Jockey Luis Saez’s Insights
Jockey Luis Saez said they “had no excuses” and hopes Gosger will learn from the experience.
“Luis said at the end he just got a little bit lackadaisical, and he was out on his own maybe a little too long and the other horse came by and flew by him,” Walsh said. “Maybe we will get our turn the next time.”
Celebrating the Preakness
NBC Sports’ lead-up to the race included an introduction from actor Frankie Muniz. Muniz is known for his childhood role on the show “Malcolm in the Middle.” He talked about the virtues of the Preakness as the middle jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown.
Frankie Muniz’s Perspective
“People don’t talk about the middle enough,” Muniz said. He brought up middle seats on planes, the middle ages, and how nobody wants to peak in middle school. “When you’re in the middle, you’ve got to fight for attention.”
The Final Preakness at Pimlico Race Course
The attention was on Pimlico Race Course. This historic track hosted the Preakness for the final time before it is demolished and rebuilt. The structure first opened in 1870.
Muniz’s Final Thoughts
“Beginnings and endings get all the credit, but life happens in the middle on a journey from here to there,” Muniz said. “That’s where you prove what you’re really made of. On a day like today, at this ancient racetrack all dressed up one more time, there’s absolutely no place better to be than the middle.”
For more on horse racing, visit AP Horse Racing.
