Preakness Post Positions

The field is set for the Preakness on Saturday May 21. Post time is 6:05 EST and NBC will be carrying the race, live. Here are the post positions:

No. 1. Astrology
No. 2 Norman Asborjson
No. 3 King Congie
No. 4 Flashpoint
No. 5 Shackleford
No. 6 Sway Away
No. 7 Midnight Interlude
No. 8 Dance City
No. 9 Mucho Macho Man
No. 10 Dialed In
No. 11 Animal Kingdom
No. 12 Isn't He Perfect
No. 13 Concealed Identity
No. 12 Mr. Commons

The forecast is for showers and it has been raining here all week. The track may not be sloppy but it will definitely be influenced by the weather. They will do their best to dry it out and harrow it, but I don't think it will be legitimate "fast" if that is what they decide to label it.

That said, I think that Animal Kingdom drew the exact post he wanted. Trainer Graham Motion let it be known that he did not want to be anywhere near the rail and Lady Luck cooperated. I also like his plan to ship Animal Kingdom the short distance (40 Miles) from Fair Hill to Pimlico on Saturday morning, to let him take advantage of his bucolic surroundings. "Everything has come really smoothly," he told the Sun News. "He's kind of dictated what I do with him and he was ready to start doing more. That's why we're doing more with him now. He'll probably have a couple of strong gallops leading up to the race."

During the rain, Animal Kingdom has been working on the synthetic surface at Fair Hill, a tapeta track. Personally, I think he is the horse to beat and my money is going to be on him.

But for those who prefer other choices, Shackleford deserves close attention as does Mucho Macho Man. I think Flashpoint will set early fractions and burn himself out. Astrology is moving way up in class and Norman, the home town hero is, in my opinion, a bit out of his league. Dialed In and Midnight Interlude were both disappointing in the Derby. Mr. Commons has much to prove.

I'm leaning toward an Animal Kingdom-Shackleford exacta but then again, I bet a lot of people are leaning the same way.