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Preakness Stakes 130 2005 @ Pimlico
Horse Racing Picks, Betting Tips & Race Entries

Triple Crown 2005 Preakness Stakes History, Horse Racing Picks, Horse Racing Tips, Official Race Entries, Contenders and Winners for Preakness Stakes 130 at Pimlico Race Course

Preakness Stakes 130 at Pimlico race course in Baltimore, Maryland, takes us to the all-important second and shortest leg of thoroughbred horse racing's sought after Triple Crown Trail. Set to be held on May 21, 2005, the $1 million Preakness Stakes bridges the $2 million Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7, 2005, and $1 million Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 11, 2005, all the way to the very elusive Visa Triple Crown Challenge, in which a $5 million bonus further awaits the big winner! In the sport of thoroughbred horse racing, victory does come in three's, and when a horse wins both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, then you know he's only one title shy of the Triple Crown. That's why no true fan of horse racing events, racing picks, and betting tips, horse betting and wagering, and horse handicapping ever misses these three big stakes races, and neither should you!

Two years older than the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes brought Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones thrillingly closer to the Triple Crown in 2004, until he lost the year's Belmont Stakes to Birdstone. This season, the world awaits the new Preakness Stakes champion to win all the way to the Triple Crown, a feat pulled only by 11 horses in thoroughbred horse racing history, the last being Affirmed in 1978. Do not ever miss a beat as you read on about Preakness Stakes horse racing history and race track information, past race results and payouts, past performances and top earnings, recent winners, possible race contenders, official race entries, horse racing picks and selections, race analysis, and horse racing tips. The 2005 Preakness Stakes 130 takes that eventful next step to the Belmont Stakes and Triple Crown so step on it and go for the win!

2005 Preakness Stakes 130 Fast Facts & Horse Racing History

On the third Saturday in May of each year, fans of horse racing events, racing picks, and betting tips, horse betting and wagering, and horse handicapping will be found marching on to Pimlico race course in Baltimore, Maryland. The big reason? It is to watch the popular Preakness Stakes thoroughbred racing championship, second in three horse races leading to the much coveted Triple Crown. With a total purse of US$1,000,000, the annual Preakness Stakes at Pimlico race course is a Grade 1 stakes race for three year old thoroughbred horses, run at a classic distance of 1 3/16 mile (9.75 furlongs; 1.91 km) on the dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds (57 kg) while fillies carry 121 (55 kg). This season stages the 130th running of the Preakness Stakes, scheduled for May 21, 2005.

2004 Preakness Stakes and Kentucky Derby back-to-back champion Smarty Jones, who broke the Preakness Stakes victory margin record, was one title shy of the elusive Triple Crown when he lost the 2004 Belmont Stakes to Birdstone.

Two years before the Kentucky Derby was run for the first time, Pimlico race course introduced the Preakness Stakes during its first-ever spring race meet in 1873. Governor Bowie had named the race in honor of Dinner Party Stakes-winner, Preakness, from the Preakness Stables in Wayne, New Jersey. The first Preakness Stakes drew seven starters, including Survivor, who galloped home easily by 10 lengths - the largest margin of victory until 2004, when winner Smarty Jones made a new record of 11 1/2 lengths before a record crowd of 112,668. The Preakness Stakes has been run at seven different distances; set by Tank's Prospect in 1985 and equalled by Louis Quatorze in 1996, the speed record for the current 1 3/16 miles (1.91 km) is 1 minute 53 2/5 seconds. Thus far in history, only 11 Preakness Stakes winners have ever gone on to bag the ever elusive Triple Crown victory, including Secretariat in 1973, Seattle Slew in 1977, and Affirmed in 1978 - all immortal champions in their own right. Last year's Preakness Stakes and Kentucky Derby champion, Smarty Jones, fell one title short of the Triple Crown when he was outfinished by Birdstone at the 2004 Belmont Stakes.

Pimlico Horse Racing History & Race Track Information

5201 Park Heights Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21215

Venerable Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness Stakes, first opened its doors in October 1870, making it America's second oldest horse race track, next to Saratoga, which debuted in 1864 in upstate New York. Playing host to horse racing icons for over a century now, Pimlico has been graced by the presence of legendary horses the likes of Man O' War, Sir Barton, Sea Biscuit, War Admiral, Citation, Secretariat, Cigar, and Silver Charm. The name itself, Pimlico, was given the area by English settlers in Colonial times, although the track soon became affectionately known as "Old Hilltop", after a small rise in the infield that became a favorite gathering place for trainers and race enthusiasts.

Crowd favorite Smarty Jones was the 2004 champion of the Preakness Stakes, the 130th running of which will be held on May 21, 2005, at Pimlico race course in Baltimore, Maryland.

Sprawling 140 acres in Baltimore, Maryland, Pimlico race course today features a 70-feet-wide, 1-mile oval track, six-furlong track, and 1 1/4 mile chutes, plus a 7/8 mile turf course. Pimlico has a total seating capacity of 101,679, with the main grandstand accounting for 5,691 while the old grandstand has 5,926. Doors open at 11:30 am, with post time at 1:10 pm. General parking capacity is 2,100. There are 750 betting windows, including temporary windows on Preakness Day and automated betting machines. During its rich history, Pimlico has enjoyed being the only track in the US to be honored by the adjournment of the US House of Representatives for the first and only time in history in 1877 to watch "The Great Race" between Parole, Ten Broeck, and Tom Ochiltree.

Preakness Stakes 2005 Possible Race Contenders, Top Earnings, and Past Performance

With trainer Tim Ritchey and jockey John Velazquez at the helm, Afleet Alex tops almost every expert horse racing handicapper's list of leading Preakness Stakes race contenders. Afleet Alex boasts a career record of 7 (5-2-0) at earnings of $710,800, a Dosage of 2.11, and Best Beyer of 106. Another Preakness Stakes list topper is Rockport Harbor, with trainer John Servis and jockey Stewart Elliott, possessing a career record of 4 (4-0-0) at $210,300, Dosage of 1.67, Best Beyer of 102. With trainer Nicholas Zito and jockey Edgar Prado, Sun King is also a Preakness Stakes favorite, having a career record of 5 (2-0-2) at $264,650, Dosage of 3.00, Best Beyer of 104. Yet another list favorite, with trainer Craig Dollase and jockey Corey Nakatani, is Wilko, whose career record is 12 (3-2-5) at $934,074, Dosage is 7.00, Best Beyer is 98.

Under the care of trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez, Bandini holds a career record of 4 (2-1-0) at $99,180, Dosage of 3.57, Best Beyer of 98. With a career record of 5 (1-1-2) at $131,716, Dosage of 4.33, Best Beyer of 98, Giacomo has trainer John Shirreffs and jockey Mike Smith. Backed by trainer D. Wayne Lukas and jockey Rafael Bejarano, Going Wild's career record is 7 (3-3-1) at $212,420, Dosage is 1.91, Best Beyer is 104. Now with a career record of 5 (4-0-1) at $297,300, Dosage of 2.00, Best Beyer of 100 is High Fly, whose trainer is Nicholas Zito and jockey is Jerry Bailey. Rounding up the list of top Preakness Stakes race contenders with trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Gary Stevens is Roman Ruler, with a career record of 5 (3-1-0) at $330,800, Dosage of 4.45, Best Beyer of 106.

Prior to his injury, a huge favorite among expert horse racing handicappers had been Declan's Moon, with trainer Ronald Ellis and jockey Victor Espinoza, who boasts a career record of 5 (5-0-0) at $627,300, Dosage of 3.50, and Best Beyer of 107.

2005 Preakness Stakes 130 Official Race Entries

Preakness Stakes 130 at Pimlico race course on May 21, 2005, is galloping at you faster than you can say Triple Crown! So do come by regularly as we will post the Preakness Stakes Official Race Entries the moment the final word is out.

Preakness Stakes Race Analysis, Horse Racing Picks, Horse Racing Tips & Selections

Win big, and win often, at the 2005 Preakness Stakes 130 leading to the Triple Crown! Score your best choice in the Preakness Stakes race analysis, horse racing picks, horse racing tips, and horse racing selections right here - all in one page. Find regularly updated racing picks and selections featuring the top Preakness Stakes race contenders and your favorite race entries. Good luck at the races!

Preakness Stakes Past Winners and Past Race Results

2004 Preakness Stakes 129: A record crowd of 112,668 fans of horse racing events, racing picks, and betting tips, horse betting and wagering, and horse handicapping witnessed Someday Farm's Smarty Jones take one step closer to the Triple Crown with a memorable victory at the Preakness Stakes in Pimlico on May 15, 2004. 5-1 second choice Lion Heart gunned right to the front, with 3-5 favorite Smarty Jones stalking him a length back through an initial quarter in 23.65 and a half in 47.32 over the fast track. Lion Heart kept two or three paths off the rail, trying to avoid the deeper part of the track and pushing the favorite to a wider path around the turns.

Turning for home after six furlongs in 1:11.53 and a mile in 1:36.44, Smarty Jones pulled in towards the rail and through the gaping hole, drawing away to a five-length lead at the eighth pole. He galloped home to a record-breaking 11-1/2 length victory and completed the 1 3/16 miles distance in 1:55.59. 7-1 fourth choice Rock Hard Ten, who was fractious behind the gate, refusing to load and had delayed the start, rallied down the stretch from seventh place early to finish second. 13-1 shot Eddington came from eighth late to be third. Lion Heart tired in the final quarter mile and finished fourth. The $650,000 first place purse moved Smarty Jones to fourth on the all-time list with earnings of $7,363,535.

2004 Preakness Stakes (and Kentucky Derby) champion Smarty Jones won by 11 1/2 lengths, breaking the record set by Survivor in the inaugural running in 1873, before a record crowd of 112,668 at Pimlico race course.

Preakness Stakes 2004 Race Results, Top Earnings, and Payouts

Purse: $1,000,000
Value of Race: $1,000,000 - 1st $650,000, 2nd $200,000, 3rd $100,000, 4th $50,000
Winner: Smarty Jones - Chestnut Colt, February 28, 2001; Bred by Someday Farm in PA

Preakness Stakes Winners - Complete List of All Preakness Stakes Past Winners

Preakness Stakes Winners' Past Performance

Follow the 2005 Preakness Stakes 130 at Pimlico race course from the Kentucky Derby prep races hot on the 2005 Triple Crown Trail all the way to the Triple Crown horse racing championship finale. Find all you need to know about the Preakness Stakes horse racing picks, horse racing tips, horse racing selections, race analysis, Preakness Stakes official race entries, past performance, possible race contenders, recent winners, race results and payouts, Preakness Stakes horse racing history, and Pimlico race track information and history. Consider the 2005 Preakness Stakes 130 on May 21, 2005, at Pimlico in Baltimore, Maryland, as your winning bet to the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, and finally, the Triple Crown 2005!