Curlin's Nose Wins Preakness
Unraced at Two, Curlin Will Lead Belmont Field Without Street Sense
Beaten out of a Triple Crown chance by Curlin's hearty nose in the 2007 Preakness Stakes, Street Sense will skip the Belmont. Hard Spun is still a challenger.
A battle royal in the Sport of Kings on May 19 took place a la the 1-3/16 miles $1 million Preakness Stales, second jewel of American thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown series. The three top Kentucky Derby finishers prevailed again, but in different order, with Derby champ Street Sense nosed out just as he was in the Blue Grass Stakes. Hard Spun showed gamely.
Thus, no Triple Crown champion will be wreathed in 2007. The drought for a tripler continues into its 29th year.
Street Sense's trainer, Carl Nafzger, said the colt "just got beat" in response to questions, and in charity to jockey Calvin Borel, who turned to Nafzger with obvious pain on his face before he answered to the throng of microphones thrust under his chin. Borel's Derby victory with Street Sense was such a high, and the Preakness run was heartbreaking. Those emotions were easily read on the jockey's creased Cajun countenance after the two races.
Curlin Proves Worthy
In the meantime Steve Asmussen trained Curlin, the unraced at age two chestnut threat of the 2007 season, proved he belonged beside Street Sense and a host of more heralded three-year-olds this year. He edged out Street Sense by a more focused nose in the Preakness lane chase.
Curlin didn't do it alone, however. Jockey Robby Albarado had to check his mount's slight drift in the stretch as the pair were gaining on Street Sense and Borel.
Not Enough Sense
Borel also had a problem with Sense losing interest after he had gotten into a healthy two and a half length lead past Hard Spun (Mario Pino), his chief rival in the Derby. After the crushing defeat at the wire, Borel said Street Sense does mentally slide sometimes in the lead.
Sensibly, Street Sense stuck his nose back in front in the closing pounding strides when he caught sight of Curlin challenging him. It was too little too late.
By then Albarado had switched his whip, skillfully getting Curlin back to business by encouraging him from a left to right lead. Responding perfectly, Curlin finished the chase in strong focus to get up on Street Sense at the close.
Triple Thrill
It was thrilling and disappointing in the same stride, as racing fans, tingling for a Triple Crown champ to the wire, also shouted for Curlin's courage.
With no triple championship possible, Street Sense's connections look to skip the Belmont Stakes on June 9. A rested Street Sense would have a shot at a second Breeders' Cup championship in October.
