Preakness 2011 Cheat Sheet

Level: Beginner

By Dana Byerly, Hello Race Fans Co-founder

Not to worry, we have a 2012 Preakness Cheat Sheet!

Did you watch the Derby? Of course you did. Did you feel unprepared? We tried to help! Here it is two weeks later and you’re still in the same boat. Well, fret not, we’re here for you… again! Although we strongly suggest that you sign up for our Derby Prep Alert so you’re not so unprepared next year.

Here’s a little something about the 2011 Preakness field by post position. Be sure to check out our 2011 Kentucky Derby Cheat Sheet for more back story on the starters coming from the Derby.

2011 Preakness Replay

2011 Preakness Results Chart courtesy of Brisnet.com (pdf)

1. Astrology (15-1) – his last three starts have shown him to have a severe case of seconditis. – SHOW (3rd)

2. Norman Asbjornson (30-1) – ran OK for second to Stay Thirsty at 47-1 in the Gotham and not so OK for sixth in the Wood Memorial, but was closing into a soft pace.

3. King Congie (20-1) – seems generally promising and has proven turf form. It’s unclear if he’ll be more like Animal Kingdom or Derby Kitten on dirt.

4. Flashpoint (20-1) – romped in the 7-furlong Hutcheson but didn’t get the lead in the Florida Derby and was a non-factor. He’s likely to get a better spot with this post position and has been working lights out at Keeneland. The distance is the real question.

5. Shackleford (12-1) – he won’t be alone on the lead this time, and his company will be fresh and ready to go but the cut back in distance can only help him. – WINNER

6. Sway Away (15-1) – most well-regarded of the newcomers and seems to be improving at the right time.

7. Midnight Interlude (15-1) – did not like the big Derby crowd but ran pretty well, considering his relative inexperience. He could certainly improve.

8. Dance City (12-1) – fought back on the rail to hold on for third behind Archarcharch and Nehro after sitting close to a hot pace in the Arkansas Derby. Will definitely be a part of the pace scenario.

9. Mucho Macho Man (6-1) – surprised plenty of folks by closing well at the end of the Derby. The cut-back in distance should help his chances.

10. Dialed In (9-2) – despite never really being in the race, he did clock the fastest final fraction in the Derby behind Animal Kingdom, which was an improvement to his race prior to the Derby.

11. Animal Kingdom (2-1) – proved that he’s a threat on any surface and his win didn’t look like a fluke. A faster pace can only help him. – PLACE (2nd)

12. Isn’t He Perfect (30-1) – optimistically named, given that he’s won only twice in twelve starts and never in stakes company, seems very ambitiously placed.

13. Concealed Identity (30-1) – made short work of the Federico Tesio field at Pimlico on Derby day. The horse for the course would have to step up here but has the right running style for this group.

14. Mr. Commons (12-1) – ran an OK third behind Midnight Interlude and Comma to the Top in the Santa Anita Derby. Has an interesting series of 7-furlong works.

We also took a look at how newcomers have fared over the past 20 years and what it means for this year’s field in our annual post, “Beware the New Shooters?“.

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