IMPERIALISM

Horsephotos

The Skinny
Boy, did he have a tough trip in the Derby! He hated getting all that goo kicked in his face as they passed the wire for the first time, then was shuffled back while moving nicely on the rail entering the final turn. Went from the fence to the parking lot turning for home, and still was the only one from the back to do any running in the stretch. Has an annoying tendency to lug in during the latter stages of a race, and Mulhall originally didn't want any part of Smarty Jones in the Preakness. Late-runner figures to make stretch noise, but another minor award might be his ceiling.

- Dan Illman