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2001 PREAKNESS STAKES |
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POINT GIVEN WINS THE PREAKNESS STAKES THE PREAKNESS STAKES OFFICIAL RESULTS MAY 19, 2001 PREAKNESS STAKES GRADE I PIMLICO RACECOURSE, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND FOR THREE YEAR OLDS ONE AND THREE-SIXTEENTHS MILES MAIN TRACK: FAST
POINT GIVEN Winner 126th Preakness Stakes Jockey: Gary Stevens Trainer: Bob Baffert Owners: The Thoroughbred Corporation
OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH
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POINT GIVEN GETS REDEMPTION May 19, 2001 Preakness Stakes Baltimore, Maryland A bittersweet return to the winner's circle for the winner of the Preakness, Point Given. Just two weeks after running an uninspired race in the Kentucky Derby the Baffert trainee rewarded his loyal backers by vindicating himself winning the second jewel of the triple crown by two and one-half lengths covering the one mile an three-sixteenths race in a time of 1:55:2. Jockey Gary Stevens let the big striding son of Thunder Gulch settle in and run his own race behind a much more moderate pace than was seen two weeks prior in Kentucky. Running six wide down the back side Point Given picked up horses and by the time he entered the home stretch the Santa Anita Derby winner had the lead and held on, after running a bit green mid stretch, to win by two and one-half lengths over second place finisher AP Valentine and stable mate Congaree, who after running on the pace the entire race held on for third place. Derby winner Monarchos never got in the race after trailing the entire filed into the first turn. Under the urging of jockey Jorge Chavez Monarchos could not keep contact with the front runners and finished a dull sixth in a field of eleven. While many believed the horse would bounce after a near record setting performance in the Kentucky Derby, Monarchos never engaged the leaders and was really never a factor in the race. Post race comments by jockey and trainer suggest that the horse did not like the track, however after a moderate pace the horse probably should have been closer after prior races on the card had confirmed the honest track would not be biased to deep closers. Accepting the loss, trainer Ward will now concentrate on preparing his colt for the showdown of the two classic winners in June at the Belmont.
For the recap of the race see below.
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126th Preakness Stakes Race Recap:
At the start both Baffert trained entrants got off to poor starts. Point Given was away a bit slow while stable mate Congaree bobbled and broke inward before being rushed into contention. From the six hole Richly Blended cleared the field and led through an opening quarter of 23:4 followed two lengths back by Congaree, who was hurried after an awkward start, and then Mr. John. Point Given dropped back into ninth to save ground in the early going after starting from the outside post eleven. Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos was relegated to last place at the quarter mile marker content to sit well off the pace. At the half mile point the leaders were the same as Richly Blended got away with running the half in a moderate 47:1as Congaree was cutting into the lead as a half length now separated the two front runners while Mr. John and Marciano continued to stalk the pace. As the field hit the three quarter marker Richly Blended was still holding off second place runner Congaree while his stable mate Point Given was now dragging jockey Gary Stevens into third position now poised to take on the leaders. A move similar to the one made in the Santa Anita Derby. Coming out of the far turn, Point Given had taken command passing Congaree. At the three sixteenths pole Point Given lugged in briefly while being challenged then straightened out at the furlong marker and went on under a spirited hand ride, by jockey Gary Stevens, to win the 126th running of the Preakness Stakes. AP Valentine Split horses in deep stretch to get up for second over Congaree, who for the second straight race ran on the lead and managed to hit the board, running third. Point Given is a three year old, owned by The Thoroughbred Corporation, trained by Bob Baffert, and was ridden by Gary Stevens.
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23:4
47:1 1:11:4 1:36:2 1:55:2By MICHAEL COMPTON
Wire to Wire Editor
The real Point Given showed up for Saturday's 126th running of the Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico. The beaten Kentucky Derby favorite two weeks ago rebounded in spectacular fashion to win the Preakness by 2 1/4 lengths over A P Valentine and Congaree in front of a Preakness record 104,454 fans. Point Given's time for the 1 3/16-mile distance was 1:55 2/5.
"I knew going into the first turn the race was over," said winning rider Gary Stevens. "He was taking to the track perfectly today. If he continues to move forward, I would think he would be competitive this fall against older horses in the Breeders' Cup."
Point Given's victory also brought to an end any Triple Crown hopes being entertained by the connections of Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos who finished a non-threatening sixth.
"There was no pace but my horse didn't handle the track very well," commented Jorge Chavez. "When I asked he tried to go but he couldn't."
While Monarchos attracted a large round of applause from the fans at Pimlico when he stepped foot on the track, the day clearly belonged to The Thoroughbred Corp.'s Point Given.
Trainer Bob Baffert elected to saddle his two charges--Point Given and Congaree--in the track's enclosed paddock away from the other Preakness runners who are saddled on the turf course. His approach worked for Point Given who appeared calm and collected parading to post.
At the break, Stevens allowed Point Given plenty of time to settle into stride at the back of the pack. Tugging at Stevens, Point Given began picking off runners down the backstretch. By the time the field straightened for home, Point Given was right alongside stablemate Congaree in the first flight.
The Baffert-trained pair assumed command when Florida-bred pacesetter Richly Blended threw in the towel after setting the early pace. Point Given rolled past Congaree so easily at the head of the lane that he was forced to entertain himself alone on the lead through the stretch.
"When we went by Congaree he went to lugging in with me," Stevens said. "He was just playing out there. We didn't get to the bottom of him. What a feeling that is. "
"He certainly vindicated himself today," Stevens added. "He loved the track. He gave me nothing but confidence throughout the race. "In a game effort, A P Valentine delivered on the promise trainer Nick Zito has been talking about since the son of A P Valentine defeated Point Given last year at two in the Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont. Rallying late under new jockey Victor Espinoza, A P Valentine finished second, edging Congaree, Espinoza's Derby mount, for the place spot. Shortly following the Derby, Baffert announced that Espinoza would be replaced by Bailey for the Preakness and Espinoza subsequently picked up the mount on A P Valentine when Pat Day stuck with Dollar Bill.
"I wanted to get position as soon as possible to get in a good spot," said Espinoza. "When Point Given made his move I wanted to go with him but I couldn't. I had clear sailing after that. I love this horse. I'm very impressed. He's got a lot power."
When asked how it felt to beat Congaree, Espinoza said "It feels great, better than winning."
Trouble-plagued Dollar Bill again encountered some traffic but put in a late charge good enough to carry him to a fourth-place finish at the wire.
As for Point Given, it seems the son of Thunder Gulch is back on track.
"He put away a great field," said Stevens. "He showed everyone what a great racehorse he is. He is the best horse I've ever ridden."