Minor Indiscretions

- This article from the Baltimore Sun (via the non-registration Sun-Sentinal) discusses the general depravity found in the Preakness infield, one of the few places left in America where women can expose their breasts and men can relieve themselves in front of police officers without worrying about the repercussions. Dr. James Dobson would definitely not approve. But with 90,000 people cramming the infield at $50 per shot, I guess the $4.5 million helps the track overlook any such minor indiscretions.

- A couple of other graded stakes winners from the Preakness cardworth mentioning: Cool Conductor nosed 3-5 favorite Artie Schiller in the G2 Dixie after they hooked up at the eighth pole. He’s the first graded winner for former Bill Mott assistant Ralph E. Nicks. He’s by Stravinsky (Nureyev) the European sprint champion who stands in Kentucky and shuttles to New Zealand – according to Equiline, his 2 yo crop this year numbers 171.

Richard Dutrow claimed Willy O’The Valley for $100,000 out of his last at Keeneland, and wheeled him back to win a graded stakes – the G3 Maryland Breeders Cup – and $120,000, not a bad deal. He’s by Will’s Way (Easy Goer), the Travers and Whitney winner who now stands in Pennsylvania for $3500. That’s what happens to one-time Kentucky stallions who produce just 2 stakes winners in their first 4 crops, though he should theoretically be quite busy once PA slots money starts to flow. His best known son is crack sprinter Lion Tamer.

- At Hollywood Park on Saturday, the nice 3yo Storm Wolf buried the field in the G2 Laz Barrera Memorial at 7 furlongs in an easy 1:22 1/5. It’s his third easy win in 3 starts since running 4th to Going Wild in his debut last December - he's won his last three starts by a Lost in the Fog-style total of 20 1/2 lengths. Storm Wolf and Going Wild have certainly taken divergent paths since December. Storm Wolf’s sire Stormin Fever skipped the classics too when he was 3, and went on to have a fine career as a sprinter. I wonder if Going Wild will be as fortunate after repeatedly being drubbed in races far beyond his ability to stay.