Derby hero Justify spurs race interest

Though Marylanders dismissively call the Kentucky Derby a “Preakness prep,” the horse race Saturday in Baltimore has a middle-child syndrome.

Of the three geezers that comprise North American Thoroughbred racing’s spring classics, the Preakness is the baby of the bunch — not that at 143 it should be wrapped in swaddling clothes. By comparison, the Kentucky Derby, its

144th running in the books, and the Belmont Stakes, which on June 9 will turn 150, have birthday cakes that look like prairie fires.

Twelve horses have won all three races, and the possibility that Justify becomes the 13th Triple Crown winner makes Preakness 143 especially compelling. So impressive was the unbeaten colt at Churchill Downs, winning the Derby by

2 1/2 lengths, that Justify is the

1-2 program favorite Saturday. Significantly, only three horses followed Justify from Louisville to Baltimore, though one is Derby runner-up and reigning juvenile champion Good Magic, a strong early 3-1 second choice in the wagering.

Belmont Stakes interest will rise or fall proportionately on the Preakness performance of Justify. A joke going around the Pimlico backstretch is that the weather vane in the racetrack’s infield has been painted in Justify’s colors, a ceremonial touch along with the presentation of the Woodlawn Vase.

The outcome early Saturday evening will influence the nature and frequency of Belmont Stakes promotion.

A victory by Justify would clear NBC Sports, the presenting network, to flood its National Hockey League and French Open tennis telecasts with Belmont spots. Good luck in selling the race if the Triple Crown is not at stake. Last year, for instance, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winners (Always Dreaming, Cloud Computing) were no-shows on race day at Belmont Park. I’ll save you the trouble of punching up the result: Tapwrit won.

Good luck also to NBC in filling its prerace coverage Saturday with angles that do not include Justify. How early in the broadcast will Bob Costas or Mike Tirico mention that trainer Bob Baffert won the Preakness with his four previous Kentucky Derby winners? How soon before American Pharoah’s name comes up and the parallels to that wonderful colt’s Triple Crown sweep in 2015 and what Justify is attempting? Could a block of time be set aside for replays of Preakness classics from, say,

1978 (Affirmed over Alydar) and 1989 (Sunday Silence over Easy Goer)?

Is it asking too much for the NBC broadcast crew, including Hot Springs native Randy Moss, to comment on Monday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling about sports betting and how it might impact a gambling-driven sport like horse racing?

One angle that I hope is explored completely is Justify’s physical appearance and demeanor. This is important in any year — what kind of physical toll did the Run for the Roses take on the Derby winner? — and especially so in light of published reports that Justify had a sensitive area in his left hind foot after the May 5 race.

As in Louisville, where a record Derby Day cloudburst stumped local forecasters, a sloppy track appears likely in Baltimore.

Turf writers like myself hope for the best story, one that will hold reader interest regardless of the outcome. The Derby winner need not prevail to provide a memorable Preakness, though; Afleet Alex, third at Churchill Downs, almost fell at the head of the stretch before charging to victory in 2005; Rachel Alexandra

(2009) became the first Preakness-winning filly in 85 years with Calvin Borel famously taking off Derby winner Mine

That Bird to ride the Kentucky Oaks heroine.

What fresh delights await us at Old Hilltop, where Seabiscuit beat Triple Crown winner War Admiral in a match race 80 years ago?

* We have the delicious prospect of WinStar Farm, which co-owns Justify and Arkansas Derby runner-up Quip, winning with the “wrong” horse.

* We have the possibility of a seven-time Preakness-winning trainer other than Bob Baffert emerging. Wayne Lukas, giving two Churchill Downs also-rans every chance, entered Bravazo and Sporting Chance in the race that he scored his record 14th Triple Crown victory with Oxbow in 2013.

* We have John Servis returning to Pimlico with longshot Diamond King, the trainer’s first Preakness starter since Smarty Jones’ arguably career-defining performance in 2004.

* Did the Preakness winner race at Oaklawn Park (Bravazo, Sporting Chance, Quip or Tenfold), something that happened first in 1976 with Arkansas Derby hero Elocutionist?

* Does the Derby runner-up turn the tables as did Summer Squall against Unbridled in 1990?

* Or does, more likely, Justify keep it going all the way to New York?

The Preakness might have a middle-child syndrome but more often than not it has the Derby winner, which this year could be newsworthy indeed.