Monarchos set for next step

Ralph Siraco

Friday, May 18, 2001 | 9:49 a.m.

What: 126th Preakness Stakes

Where: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore

When: Saturday

Post time: 3:04 p.m.

TV: NBC (2-3:30 p.m.)

Attendance: About 100,000

Purse: $1 million

Winner's share: $650,000

Distance: 1 3/16 miles

Favorite: Monarchos (2-1)

Thoroughbred racing's road show of spring classics moves to crabcake country on Saturday for round two of this year's Triple Crown.

At Baltimore, the 126th Preakness Stakes will showcase the Kentucky Derby winner versus 10 challengers at 1 3/16 miles for another purse of $1 million.

Traditionally, the center of attention at the middle jewel of the sport's most coveted prize is the Derby victor, and his chances of advancing to Belmont Park three weeks hence for a sweep of the Crown and racing immortality.

This year that figure is Monarchos.

Of course, just as traditional are the questions that the Kentucky Derby either didn't answer or, more often, created in Louisville two weeks removed.

Answers to these questions should become clear at Pimlico Race Course at approximately 3:06 p.m. following what promises to be a vintage Preakness edition.

Here's the field, in post position order, with jockey and morning line:

1. MARCIANO/Johnston (30-1) -- Won the Federico Tesio stakes at Pimlico in his last race to earn start in Preakness after a photo-finish runner-up effort in the Private Terms Stakes before that for a record of one win and one second in two starts over the track. He would need a knockout punch of the likes of his namesake to win this though.

2. Mr. JOHN/Nakatani (20-1) -- Promising grandson of Gulch was disqualified after a runner-up effort in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland in last. Pressed pace while runner-up at Aqueduct in the Gotham before that. Running style suggests this one will be part of the first flight throughout. Trainer Elliot Walden failed to win this race with the favorite in 1998 and 1999, which will not be the case, win or lose, here.

3. GRIFFINITE/Bridgmohan (50-1) -- Wide trip and dull effort in Lexington Stakes followed a gutty close victory in the Lafayette Stakes. This finicky runner could make a late impression for the gimmicks if he has his game face on.

4. A P VALENTINE/Espinoza (10/1) -- Horrific trip in the Kentucky Derby negated any chance at victory. But he did recover to finish seventh of 17 in the field and many believe that he could have been second with a clean run. Promising young Southern California-based rider -- who won the Breeders'Cup Distaff last year -- lands this mount after being dismissed from another. Trainer Nick Zito would like to provide a storybook ending for jockey and redeem his faith in this runner as well.

5. CONGAREE/Bailey (5-2) -- Wood Memorial winner ran the second-most impressive race in the Kentucky Derby (behind only Monarchos). Was the only survivor -- from the first flight of six -- that attended the record early splits to hang around for the finish. He led the field down the stretch, then just missed second in the shadow of the finish. The best money-rider in America gets his chance on this Bob Baffert trainee. Should be close to a more civil pace and sit the catbird trip here. Trainer makes important equipment change and takes blinkers off for this.

6. RICHLY BLENDED/Wilson (10-1) -- Won the first pair of career races by a combined 22-plus lengths at Maryland sister track Laurel. Won the Gotham after that, then was third to Congaree and Monarchos in Wood. Bounced back with a daylight victory in the Withers at Aqueduct in most recent outing. The 4-for-5 winner has one way of going and that's on the lead. He is certain to be the Preakness pacesetter and can be an elusive target if left alone. He represents the perfect example of "Speed Kills" here.

7. MONARCHOS/Chavez (2-1) -- Boasting a sophomore record of four wins and a second from five starts this year, he justified trainer John Ward's confidence with an electrifying move (duplicating his Florida Derby victory move) to post the second-fastest winning time in the history of the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago. He has been training comfortably at Pimlico and seems to have recovered from the hard effort in Louisville.

8. PERCY HOPE/Court (50-1) -- The Lone Star Derby winner is sitting on a two-race win streak that includes a victory in the Rushaway Stakes and has been first or second in five starts this year. He can cash the biggest payday of any in the race -- a $1 million bonus posted by Lone Star Park -- but has about that much (a million to one) of a chance to cash in. No Hope for Percy?

9. BAY EAGLE/Domiguez (30-1) -- Boasts a 1-for-1 record over the track, a victory in the Private Terms Stakes. Fourth in Lexington Stakes recently. Would share the chances of Percy here. Hope for the Eagle burns eternal.

10. DOLLAR BILL/Day (12-1) -- Nearly fell while taken up sharply to lose all chance in the Derby. Victimized by track bias while third in the Blue Grass Stakes before that. Clipped heels and nearly went down, then rallied in the stretch to finish fourth in Louisiana Derby three races back. Get the picture? Hard-luck horse of this generation has yet to have a clear trip to prove himself one way or the other. If there is a horse due for some good racing luck, this is the guy. Day sticks with him instead of jumping ship to A P Valentine here.

11. POINT GIVEN/Stevens (3-1) -- Here we go again. If there was a prize for consecutive bad posts he'd win. Much-touted Derby favorite failed while wide (from post 17) when fifth at Churchill Downs, wiping out a three-race win streak that included two Grade Is and a Grade II. Trainer Bob Baffert was baffled with Derby effort, but horse has been working well since clinker and will get chance to redeem self here. The post position may again be a key for strategy, and another wide trip on tight Pimlico turns will be difficult to overcome in this talented field. Given the post he can prove the Point with a victory.

This pick combines a nod to talent with a hope for a Triple Crown challenge: 1. MONARCHOS 2. POINT GIVEN Value Play: A P VALENTINE