May 21 2011

Middle Child of the Triple Crown

Well, I admit I was kind of hoping to get Raptured so I didn’t have to endure the hype which runs from 2:30 to 4:30 pm on Vs. and then shifts to NBC for the duration.

If you’re the type of poor sinner who bets the ponies it may surprise you to learn that at the close of off track betting last night, Animal Kingdom was not the favorite to win at Pimlico.  Nope, it was Dialed In on the strength of his fast close at Churchill Downs.  Animal Kingdom is 7:2, Dialed In is 3:1.

Of course Dialed In still finished 8th despite the fastest finish since Secretariat.  There are only 3 other returnees from the Derby, the other 9 horses in the field of 14 are newcomers.  A complete handicap from Sports Illustrated is here, but as he truthfully points out he was completely wrong before.

Some of you animal lovers may be interested in the fate of Archarcharch.  He’ll never race again, but he’ll live and go out to stud.

Preakness Trivia

  • Actually 2 years older than the Kentucky Derby.  36 Years older than the Indy 500.
  • Shortest in distance (1/16th shorter than the Derby).
  • Only the Derby has a larger attendance.
  • No Black Eyed Susan has ever been used, currently it’s painted Chysthanthemums.

There have been 33 winners of both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes including the 11 Triple Crown winners.

Preakness Traditions

Winners don’t get the real Woodlawn Cup to keep, but a half size replica (oh, and the Woodlawn Racing Club is defunct).  Black Eyed Susans don’t bloom until 2 months after the Preakness.  The Old Clubhouse was destroyed in a fire in 1966.  They paint the winner’s racing silks on the weathervane.  No one on the internet knows why it’s called the Alibi Breakfast.

Official Website

Black Eyed Susan Recipe

(Official, but without the brand names)

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 oz. Bourbon (20% of Early Times is aged in used barrels)
  • 3/4 oz. Vodka
  • 3 oz. Sweet and Sour Mix
  • 2 oz. Orange Juice

Preparation:

Fill a highball glass with shaved ice, add the liquors first, then top off with orange juice and sweet and sour mix. Stir and garnish with an orange slice, cherry, and stirrer.

rustymancuso581

63 comments

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  2. Vs. coverage is much more relaxed than the Network.

    It was a very slow Kentucky Derby.

    The Woodlawn Cup is the most valuable trophy in sports.

  3. Everyone is out in the yard  but will be in to watch the race later.  

  4. now is the time to switch to NBC.

    Open Wheel Bumper Car Pole Day on Vs.

  5. a guide for my new digital channels.

    There are 96 of them and sometimes they’re handy for watching in wide screen.

  7. Dialed In gaining even in track odds.

  8. Asshole.

  10. have to supervise in kitchen, people with very sharp knives who have not honed their dicing and slicing skills yet

  11. About the only one I’m pretty sure hasn’t done them is Lance Armstrong.

    Why?  The French hated him.  They tested him every other week.

  12. All fingers and limbs intact

  14. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do it on time.

  20. Supposedly.

    They seem to be running a little behind.

  21. and some of the horses are really antsy

  24. I just had to.

  29. Animal Kingdom

    Astrology

  32. have to look up that theme song for ABC’s wide world of sports.

    Every time I watch one of these spectacles that song runs through my mind.

  33. Heavy rain where I’m at.  At least I didn’t miss the race.

  34. with analysis.

  36. I don’t do that damn TV thing anymore.

    If it was my only piece…

  38. Party just moved indoors. Everybody out of the pool, thunderstorm just blew in and the temperature dropped 15 degrees

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