Preakness Stakes 2013

Just two weeks ago, Orb came from last to first in the Kentucky Derby, just as Secretariat always has done. Now it is time for the Preakness Stakes this weekend. Lots of talk has been going around about whether or not he will win the Triple Crown. If you're a racing fan, or are just interested, it is important to know what he is up against(to learn about the pedigrees of the horses that were in the Derby, see Kentucky Derby Part 1, Part 2).

Itsmyluckyday(photo credit)
Itsmyluckyday did well as a two-year-old. He came second
in his first race, a five furlong one, and won his second,
a four furlong race. Then he placed third in the Tyro Stakes.
Next he won both the Fasig Tipton Turf Dash and the
Foolish Pleasure Stakes before coming sixth in
Delta Downs Jackpot. He finished the season fourth in the
Dania Beach Stakes. This year, he debuted with a victory
in the Gulfstream Park Derby, followed by a second
victory the Holy Bull Stakes. He then came second
in the Florida Derby. Most recently, he came
fifteenth in the Kentucky Derby.

Govenor Charlie(photo credit)
Govenor Charlie never raced last year, and was
lightly raced this year. He only raced three times this year.
His first race was a six furlong one at Santa Anita in which he placed
second. The next was a one mile long race, also at Santa
Anita, and he placed first. His most recent race is the Sunland Derby,
one and one eighth miles long. He won that one, too. Though he doesn't
have the experience that the others do,  he certainly has the talent.
His sire and dam are Midnightlute and Silverbulletway.

Oxbow(photo credit)
Last year, Oxbow only raced five times. He came seventh in a five and a half
furlong race at Saratoga. Following that, he ran three seven furlong races,
coming fourth in the one at Keeneland and third and first in the two at Churchill
Downs. Afterwards, he placed fourth in the CashCall Futurity.
He started this year's season with a victory in the LeComte Stakes.
Then he placed fourth in the Risen Star Stakes, second
in the Rebel Stakes,  fifth in the Arkansas Derby and
sixth in the Kentucky Derby.

Will Take Charge(photo credit)
Last year, Will Take Charge came fifth in a five and a half furlong
race at Saratoga before winning a seven furlong race at Keeneland.
Then he came thirteenth in the Kentucky Jockey Club. Next
he finished second in the Remington Springboard Mile.
This year, he won the Smarty Jones Stakes, came sixth in
the Southwest Stakes, then won the Rebel Stakes. He came eighth in
the Derby.

Mylute(photo credit)
Last year, Mylute began his career with third place in a five and half
furlong race at Churchill Downs. Then he came second in the
Praire Gold Juvenile, another five and half furlong race,
and first in a six furlong race at Arlington Park. After that
he came fifth and second, respectively, in the mile long  Arlington-Washington
Futurity and the Jean Lafitte Stakes. He then came third in the
Delta Downs Jackpot, first in a mile and seventy yards race,
seventh in the Risen Star Stakes, second in the Louisiana Derby,
and fifth in his most recent race, the Kentucky Derby.

Departing(photo credit)
Departing is one of the three horses entering in the Preakness
that never made it to the Derby. He raced only once last year,
coming first in a six furlong race. This year, he came first
in a one mile and seventy yards long race, and in the mile long
Texas Heritage race. After that, he came third in the Louisiana
Derby. In his most recent race, the Illinois Derby, he finished first.
His sire and dam are War Front and Leave.

Titletown Five(photo credit)
Titletown Five never raced in the Derby. Maybe it is because he has
not won a single race this year. He did, however, come fourth in the Derby
Trial. He came ninth in this year's Louisiana Derby and
second in a six furlong race in Oakland. Last year, he was
luckier. He came second in a seven furlong race at Saratoga,
and fourth in a five furlong race also at Saratoga. Before that,
he came third in a four and a half furlong race at Churchill.
His sire and dam are Tiznow and D'Wildcat Speed.

Goldencents(photo credit)
Goldencents is the type of horse that takes and early
lead and tries to hold it wire to wire. However, he
failed in the Kentucky Derby and placed 17th,
with only two horses behind him. Most of his races
have been done in California. He placed first
in both the Sham Stakes and Santa Anita Derby
at Santa Anita, but came fourth in the
san Felipe Stakes, also at Santa Anita.
In 2012, he came first in the Delta Downs Jackpot
at Delta Downs and in a five and a half furlong
race at Del Mar. His only race besides the Derby
outside of California was the Foxwoods
Champagne, at Belmont.

Orb(photo credit)
Orb has an excellent percentage of wins. All of them
are at distances over a mile, which greatly affects his chances
of being a Triple Crown winner. Three of his races are
at Gulfstream, in the Florida Derby and the
Fountain of Youth, while the other is at
Aqueduct. He has place third in a
seven furlong race, and fourth in a six and a half furlong race and
in a one mile race at Belmont. And, of course, is his incredible
win in the Derby. It was amazing to see him zip from last to
first place in the mile and a quarter race to win by
two and a half lengths.