Triple Crown Sandwich Has Thin Slice Of Meat

As has always been the thrilling scenario, the two weeks between the Kentucky Derby and Preakness fuel fans' fervor for a Triple Crown Winner. In 2012, I'll Have Another never made it to the gate for the Belmont and in 2014 California Chrome could not muster a rally in the stretch for the sweep. Finally, in 2015 American Pharoah ended the 37 year drought. What was remarkable about Affirmed's feat in 1978, was that it followed Seattle Slew's sweep in 1977, which made three for the decade (of course, Secretariat, perhaps the greatest horse ever, did it in 1973). It also marked the only time in the history of the Triple Crown, that there were back to back winners. There is no doubt that there are similarities between American Pharoah and this year's Kentucky Derby winner, Nyquist, Both horses had impressive campaigns as two year olds, American Pharoah suffering only one defeat (his maiden race), while Nyquist completed an undefeated year, Moreover, both colts came into the Kentucky Derby as the favorite, and disrupted a trend of favorites finishing short of what was speculated. The ease of victory for Nyquist in the Derby bodes well for him in the Preakness. Whereas American Pharoah's jockey had to gently urge him down the stretch at Churchill, Nyquist's jockey barely had to go to the whip to secure the victory. It's impossible to be sure of how much a horse has left in the tank after a given win, but the intensity of a stretch run is definitely worth noting. At this point, any conjecture about what will happen in the grueling 1 ½ mile Belmont Stakes, should be properly ignored. When attempting to come up with a candidate for the upset, it is slim pickins. The runner-up in the Derby, Exaggerator, has now has fallen to Nyquist four times; the Derby champ would need a rough trip for Exaggerator to pull the upset. The third place finisher, Gun Runner, will skip the Preakness to run in the Belmont Stakes. In past years, there is has been a local Maryland horse that knows the terrain of the Pimlico Race Course, that could conceivably garner some attention as longshort. However, there is no such credible threat in this year's race. So if you don't want to load up on the favorite at a short price, what may be the best alternative? One way to get a decent payout, even if with a Nyquist victory, would be to wheel Nyquist on top of the field in an Exacta bet. If one had employed this strategy with American Pharoah in the 2015 Preakness, it would have been worth the risk. The payout for the Exacta last year was $124.20 for a $2 wager. In contrast, last year's Belmont runner-up, Frosted, resulted in a paltry $13.60 Exacta payout. Of course, if that risk-reward does not suit your fancy, sit back and relax, perhaps with the drink for the Preakness, a Black-eyed Susan cocktail, the name being taken from the flowers that drape the winning horse, and consists of juice, vodka, light rum and orange liqueur.