Music City Notes

- We're in Nashville! Our flight was 2 1/2 hours late, though we knew of the delay early, so were able to wait at home. When we arrived at the gate, you could immediately see the "we've been freaking sitting here for three hours" look on peoples' faces. We didn't get here until after 11PM local time, but still took a drive downtown to check out the scene. And what a scene it is, man! We'll go back and check out a couple of the joints and check out some music tonight. We noticed a couple of places where older people seemed to look comfortable and will likely gravitate towards those. There's also some kind of festival going on, and there was a huge stage at one end of Broadway.

You don't have to travel very far in this country to be in a different world. Imagine, strangers greeting you effusively, PEOPLE SMOKING CIGARETTES IN BARS AND HOTEL LOBBIES! Egads!

Thanks to everyone for all the Preakness feedback. For a race with only seven nine entrants, three of those most of us are disregarding - though Xchanger seems to have picked up a little support - it's turned into a quite fascinating little affair. Now, I'm hoping that the affair that the Head Chef and I are attending today will be over early enough to make it back here to the hotel for the race. The bride's stepfather is a major addict himself - he owns a little house in Saratoga, and charges the same five bucks for parking each day, including the Travers - so he and I will be seeking out a TV should the party run late.

Final thoughts - I'm sticking with Street Sense over the Pletchers, with a little Curlin on the side. Mr. Ed pointed out that Haskin did indeed kinda sorta pick Circular Quay to win; but he did qualify it with the "looking at the race strictly by value" line. And I don't disagree with the readers who question King of the Roxy's ability to get the distance, but I just feel he's sitting on a big race.

Pletcher once again takes the big filly race, this time winning the Black-Eyed Susan with Panty Raid. I well recall her taking her first race at Saratoga last summer at 4-1, with her name eliciting some tittering from the crowd. The Toddster is going to win a Triple Crown race one of these days...

It's an hour earlier here, so I was surprised to see that it's already the 4th at Pimlico, and it's only 10:40 local time! Our wedding is at noon, so I gotta go, but just an observation on the Dixie Stakes, the 10th on the day. This is a wide open race that will no doubt present some major value. Einstein ran one of the monster races of the year when he was way wide for three turns at in the Gulfstream Park BC, and then came back just two weeks later to take the Muniz. After two months off, he ran disappointingly in the Turf Classic. It may have been the yielding ground, but I just have the gut feeling that he's vulnerable as the morning line favorite. I also don't really care for Silver Tree (5-1), whose best days may be behind him despite his win at Gulfstream in the Appleton. Cosmonaut (9-2) made a very nice return at Keeneland last month against a moderate, and looks tough.

But I'm looking at two potential overlays here, both from Marty Wolfson. Can't Beat It (15-1) has a good excuse for most of his losses. He lost on the dirt in the Fountain of Youth, and has been beaten by Barbaro and Showing Up on grass. He's an improving four-year old, and though his return race at Calder last month was dull, he always improves in his second off the layoff. Mending Fences (10-1) is another improving animal for Wolfson. He starts from the 11 post, but have a look - there is no speed at all inside of him.

OK, OK, The Head Chef is giving me looks; time to get dressed. Have a fantastic day, and best of luck to all.