No Repeat for the Derby Feat

Exclusive Release for the Diamond Eagle

No Repeat for the Derby Feat

by Dark Star

Street Sense proved beyond a shadow of a doubt
that he is the top 3 year old in America following
his amazing feat at the Derby soundly defeating his
19 rivals at Churchill Downs.

He will be a strong favorite to win the Preakness
on Saturday. But the buzz on the backstretch has
many serious handicappers wary of betting on the

champion this time. In fact, he is the type of favorite
that gamblers love to bet against.

Street Sense had a perfect trip on the rail last time
out as everyone moved aside to let him through.
He's not likely to get the same breaks this time even
with a smaller field.

History has proven time and again that Pimlico
stumps the Derby winners most of the time.

Trainer, Carl Nafzger, spent months getting Street
Sense ready for his maximum performance pointing
toward the Derby - just as he had done with

Unbridled in 1990.

Unbridled scored one of the most powerful Derby
victories ever, but he lost both the Preakness and
Belmont Stakes. In fact, he didn't win another

stakes race until October.

So who does that leave to challenge at the wire
this Saturday? Curlin looks to be one of the most
credible and will get plenty of support in Baltimore.

He had only three races in his career coming into
the Derby. He won them all impressively, although
his lack of seasoning figured to hurt him in a 20
horse scramble. It probably did and required a
credible effort just to finish third.

Can he make up the eight lengths he lost to Street
Sense? That would require a huge leap forward
in ability, not likely in a classics stakes race like
the Preakness.

Dark Star is focusing on Hard Spun to end the
Triple Crown aspirations of the Derby winner.
He's a very serious threat with a 5 for 6 career
record coming off an impressive performance
at Churchill Downs.

He dueled for the lead into the first turn at a fast
clip, outran the three other speedsters who were
pressing him and lost by only two lengths. The
Preakness is a sixteenth of a mile shorter, leaving
less time for the Derby winner to catch him.

Never in the Preakness do winners come from so
far off the pace as happens frequently in the Derby.
This race is setting up nicely for Hard Spun to put
a decisive pasting on the field and earn a blanket of
black-eyed susans on Saturday.

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Exclusive for The Diamond Eagle