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Preakness profiles: Stradivari

by | May 20, 2016 | Breaking, Maryland, MD Racing, Racing, Top Stories, Triple Crown Trail

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Staff Reports

In our Preakness profiles, we look into each of Saturday’s Preakness contenders.

WHO IS STRADIVARI?

Of the new shooters in the Preakness field, Stradivari is the most legitimate threat to upset the field. A late developing horse, Stradivari did not make his racing debut until November of last year, where he finished fourth in a maiden race at Aqueduct. He had more success in his next outing at Gulfstream in December, where he scored his maiden win by a margin of more than 11 lengths over his nearest competitor. In his only 2016 start, Stradivari took over at will in a nine-furlong allowance race at Keeneland, winning the race by more than 14 lengths with a Beyer speed figure of 100.

preaknesslogo2016.jpgWHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT STRADIVARI

Stradivari’s trainer, Todd Pletcher, that the horse has “impressed us and I think anyone who watched the Keeneland race had to be impressed.” Pletcher acknowledged that the placing was ambitious, but said “We think he’s a very good horse. . . we think he deserves a chance.”

WHY HE COULD WIN

Stradivari enters the Preakness with more rest and fresher than the Derby contenders. He has improved in each start and his last speed figure is competitive with the top two favorites in the field, Nyquist and Exaggerator. His ability to rate also should also be an advantage if a hot pace scenario develops.

WHY HE COULD LOSE

With the top two finishers from the Kentucky Derby returning for a rematch, the most likely scenario is that the Preakness winner is one of those contenders. The Grade 1 Preakness is a step up in class and Stradivari has never faced such a competitive field.

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  • Trainer Todd Pletcher
  • Owner John Gunther, Michael Tabor, Derek Smith, Susan Magnier
  • Jockey John Velazquez
  • Bred in Kentucky by John D. Gunther
  • Breeding Medaglia d’Oro, out of Bending Strings by American Chance
  • Record 3-2-0-0, earnings of $64,200
  • Career highlights Maiden win at Gulfstream and first level allowance win at Keeneland
  • Morning line odds 8-1
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