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Notebook Hal's Hope can't cope with slick track
Posted: Saturday May 20, 2000 09:03 PM
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Hal's Hope looked hopeless in the Preakness. Running on a slick track for the first time, Hal's Hope faded badly and finished last in the eight-horse field Saturday. "Hal really didn't run his race," said 88-year-old owner Harold Rose. "He had never run on an off-track before. There's nothing physically wrong with him. He just needs some rest after running in three races in five weeks." Hal's Hope was coming off a 16th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby. The race before that, he took eighth in the Blue Grass in Keeneland. Rose hoped his horse would rebound in the Preakness, but it just didn't happen. "He broke good, but when he wasn't right there with the leaders as they went into the first turn I knew he wasn't handling the track well," Rose said. Jockey Roger Velez said, "He's a tired horse. He has a lot of nicks and needs a little time off."
No problemsChilly temperatures and additional security outside the infield combined to make this Preakness day a hassle-free event for Pimlico Race Course. In 1998, the excessive use of air conditioners in the neighborhood surrounding the track caused a power outage that closed dozens of betting windows and darkened a portion of the grandstand. Last year, a fan ran from the infield onto the track and tried to punch a horse. The cool weather, in addition to a new emergency generator, ensured that there would be no power overload at Pimlico. And the track at least a dozen extra security guards to watch the fence surrounding the infield, just in case someone attempted to become a copycat gatecrasher. "We are to stop anybody by any means possible," said Scott Durbin, who was assigned the spot where the security breach occurred last year. "I think we're going to be OK. We've got guys positioned at every 50 feet or so," Durbin said. "Plus, the cold weather will probably keep the drinking down."
Colorful endingLeRoy Neiman, the official artist of the 125th Preakness, carried on the tradition of painting the winning colors of the horse and jockey on the weather vane near the winner's circle immediately after the race. It sounded like a good idea early in the week, but the soggy conditions threatened to make the colors run faster than the horse itself. Luckily for Neiman, the rain stopped well before the race, and he went about his chore with great delight. The tradition of applying the colors to the weather vane following the Preakness began in 1909.
Hef can't holdThe muddy track Saturday gave hope to long shot Hugh Hefner, who was bidding to pull off the biggest upset in the history of the event. Hugh Hefner, a 45-1 shot, would have paid more than the $48.80 Master Derby returned in 1975. But Hugh Hefner dropped out of contention and finished sixth after holding the lead at the 3-4 pole. "It was a tough race, and we weren't embarrassed," trainer Marty Jones said. "The track was sticky. It didn't play like the usual Pimlico track, and speed didn't carry." Hugh Hefner, the person, did not attend the event Saturday.
Streak endsKent Desormeaux was on roll, having won the Kentucky Derby, Pimlico Special and Black-Eyed Susan Stakes in a span of 14 days. His luck ran out Saturday, when he took second in the Preakness behind Red Bullet. "The track was a little greasy today. It might have made a difference," Desormeaux said. "Red Bullet and I were right together all the way down the backside. We pushed the button at the same time, but Red Bullet had a bigger button. He just ran wild."
Blemson possiblesNow that the Preakness is over, it's time to look ahead to the June 10 Belmost Stakes. If Fusaichi Pegasus and Red Bullet emerged from Saturday's race in good condition, they will compete. Kentucky Derby runner-up Aptitude is also considering the trip to New York, as is Wheelaway, who finished third in the Derby. Other possibles include: Tahkodha Hills, Unshaded, Chief Seattle, Curule and Globalize.
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