BALTIMORE -- In the racing industry, there are many things said when a horse does not compete as expected.
He ran up the track. Finished off the board. It's just not his day.
When these things happen, something else also happens that what-have-you-done-for-me-lately feeling comes sneaking in.
The New York Racing Association felt it this afternoon, when visions of a Triple Crown contender faded in the stretch of the Preakness Stakes. Now, said association and president Charlie Hayward will just have to make the best of the runners that turn up. Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, eighth in the Preakness, won't be among them. But he's still the Derby winner, and where history is concerned, that will never change.
Trainer Todd Pletcher said as much when his colt failed to win today: "I wouldn't change the Derby for anything. We got the one we wanted the most. We would have loved to come here and win the Preakness and go to Belmont with a chance to win the Triple Crown. That would be the ultimate challenge, but I wouldn't trade (the Derby win) for any of the other ones."
Pletcher blamed the quick two-week turnaround between the Derby and Preakness for his colt's misfortunate lack of a win, and that may be true. One thing's for sure -- someone will be getting a nice long rest and a chance to gear up for the summer.
With that said, NYRA looks forward to potential starters that could include Devil May Care, the Pletcher-trained filly who ran 10th in the Derby. Others include Derby runner-up Ice Box and Dwyer winner Fly Down, both trained by Nick Zito, eighth-place Derby finisher Stately Victor, and newcomers Drosselmeyer, New Madrid, Stay Put, and Uptowncharlybrown.
The world keeps on turning. And we'll met up again down the road.
For more comprehensive information on horse racing, visit Helloracefans.com and Horseracingnation.com, and be sure to follow Claire Novak on Facebook and Twitter at @ClaireNovak.
Comments
Use a Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on ESPN's media platforms. Learn more