2009 Preakness Stakes Predictions
Written May 14, 2009 by Steve Janus
Today we’ll take a look at the contenders for the 2009 Preakness Stakes, and I’ll give my predictions for the race. I caught plenty of grief for picking Mine That Bird to finish in the back of the pack in the Kentucky Derby, but let’s be honest, if you had a 50-1 shot winning the Kentucky Derby, you were guessing! Anyway, I’m out for redemption in the Preakness this year, so take a look at my predictions for this year and tell me what you think!
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Mine That Bird - Won the Kentucky Derby, which already puts him at an advantage. Showed he can rally from well off the pace.
General Quarters – Poor showing in the Derby (1oth), but has two stakes wins this year and lacks Professional points (a positive in the Preakness).
Musket Man – Didn’t win as a two year old and has not run a triple digit Beyer figure (98 at Hawthorne). Finished 3rd in the Derby, however, and could stalk the pace as he did when he won the Illinois and Tampa Bay Derbies.
Papa Clem – 4th place at the Derby helps, but isn’t a great indicator. Won the Arkansas Derby this year.
Pioneerof The Nile – Has not run a triple Beyer (96 at Santa Anita), but is coming off of a sharp 2nd place showing in the Kentucky Derby.
Rachel Alexandra – Won the Kentucky Oaks by 20 1/4 lengths. Has run triple digit Beyers in four straight starts. Biggest knock is that a filly hasn’t won the Preakness since 1924.
Friesan Fire – Finished 18th as the favorite at the Kentucky Derby due mostly to a troubled start. Should fair better at the Preakness.
Tone It Down – No stakes win in his career. Top Beyer of just 85 (Laurel Park) puts this local horse likely near the back of the pack.
Big Drama – Has only made one start this year, but it was a win in the Swale Stakes at Gulf Steam. 7 week layoff is a negative.
Flying Private – Finished dead last in the Kentucky Derby, showing that he probably shouldn’t have been in the race. Has too many starts this year and no stakes wins (no wins, period since August of ‘08). Too many negatives to expect a good showing.
Take the Points –  Skipped the Kentucky Derby, which I consider a knock as he will be coming into the Preakness on a 6 week layoff. He’s never won a stakes in his career, but did well at his prep, the Santa Anita Derby, finishing 2 3/4 lengths behind Pioneerof The Nile.
Terrain – Rallies from off the pace and finished well in the Blue Grass Stakes, but there are too many negative here. Terrain has just two starts this year, is coming off of a 5 week layoff, and his top Beyer figure is 91 (Louisiana Derby).
2009 Preakness Stakes Predictions
1st – Pioneerof The Nile
2nd - Rachel Alexandra
3rd - Friesan Fire
Long shot (to win) – General Quarters at 20-1
If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:
- Preakness Stakes 2009: Pioneerof The Nile Preview & Predictions
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- 2009 Preakness Stakes Picks
- Odds to Win 2009 Preakness Stakes
- Rachel Alexandra Preakness Stakes Odds
One Response to “2009 Preakness Stakes Predictions”
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WOW 8/5 Yippee yeah she beat nothing by 20 but the thing that stands out most is the garbage she ran against ran 41 seconds for the last 3/8ths! Friesan Fire ran just as fast aas she at FG against a much tougher field which brings me to my next point. The rail horse is a legit speed merchant who doesn’t spit it out so we’ll see just how good she really is because I expect Pioneer to go when she goes along with Friesan Fire. Mine that Bird ran a 35 flat last 3/8ths in the Derby ( That’s Nuts!) If you toss the Derby because of an off track along with the Oaks because nobody ran against Rachel you would never bet her against this field at 8/5 or less! I like something from behind because of the honest fractions you should get with the Rail Horse. I’m looking at Musket Man especially after the 46 & change work the other day. A 2,3 box would pay well.
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