I like Jazil's chances at being the surprise big hit of this years freshman crop, but wasn't he before Rags to Riches in winning The Belmont Stakes in 2006, and not after like it is said in the above column?
All In All though hopefully Maryland Continues Racing All Around, including The Preakness Stakes being run for many years to come in it's Home State in which it should never leave. Maryland and The Preakness are like a marriage: "Till Death Do Us Part", and Maryland Racing may be in Intensive Care Right Now!
Maryland Racing is in trouble, and The Maryland Racing Commission right now says it is highly unlikely The Prestigious Preakness Stakes (G1), The Second Jewel Of The United States Triple Crown Series will not be run next year. If this is indeed what will happen; What is everyone's thoughts on this, and possibly about another racetrack stepping up to fulfill that gap in the series to put their racetrack on the map? Could we possibly see a gaming company that owns a racetrack like Caesars put a smaller racetrack on the map like The Big T (Thistledown), and increasing The Ohio Derby (G3) to $1,000,000 and 1 3/16 miles, and making extensive improvements to the facility to show their commitment to racing? Maybe Louisiana Downs or Parx Racing stepping up, and Making The Super Derby (G2) or Pennsylvania Derby (G2) The Marquee Event on The Third Saturday In May. Or How About The West Coast stepping up by taking a piece of The Triple Crown Action instead of serving as a prep race afterthought. Maybe Frank Stronach could make amends for ruining Maryland Racing by holding the middle jewel at Santa Anita, or Hollywood Park could have one more chance to shine by holding the big event. There are many possibilities including Lone Star which holds their meet at that time, and usually holds The Lone Star Derby (G3) one week before the Preakness, and one week after The Kentucky Derby (G1), so moving that race up a week in no big deal. Fair Grounds, Sam Houston Race Park, Saratoga. Arlington Park and even Hialeah Park is not that far fetched to think of. After all, thinking The Preakness Stakes (G1), or anyone of our prestigious Triple Crown races would ever be in jeopardy would of been far fetched to anybody over 20 years ago, but that's just the state that racing is in today. Back in the day The Sport Of Kings was run by Sportsmen who owned the racetracks by the names of Galbreath and Silberman. Now racetracks, or "Racinos" are owned by corporations by the names of Penn National and Magna Industrial. Theses corporations have left racing by the wayside in favor of their gaming and entertainment operations. Now it's time for them to step up, show their commitment to racing, and save a what was thought to be a timeless tradition in The U.S.A...The Sport of Kings, and It's Triple Crown. -Ryan Brady