Columnist Ralph Siraco: Disrespected Giacomo could be good for betting public

Ralph Siraco

Monday, May 16, 2005 | 9:30 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday and his Southern California selections run Tuesday-Sunday.

Now that the 131st Kentucky Derby has sunk in, the middle jewel of racing's Triple Crown awaits "roses" winner Giacomo. Trouble is, there are more now than before the Derby who believe this Triple Crown is already history.

The upset victory by Giacomo has drawn many to the conclusion that this year's Derby was a fluke. After all, the only horse that produced a bigger upset than Giacomo's $102.60 shocker was Donerail's $184.90 record set in 1913.

Giacomo went against the grain of almost every handicapping theory known. He had won only once in his career, and was sired by Holy Bull, a big favorite loser in the 1994 Derby. Additionally, his jockey was the same Mike Smith who guided that one to defeat, along with another Derby favorite --Prairie Bayou -- in 1993.

Giacomo came out of the "slow" Santa Anita Derby this year, with a trainer making his first Derby start.

And, not even a 100-plus Beyer speed figure? Not a chance.

Chance. Upset. Roses.

OK, but he did it in slow time while many of the contenders either got caught up in the early suicidal speed-laden meltdown, or were injured or bled in the running of the race.

High Limit suffered cuts on his hind legs before the field hit the first turn while Bandini and Derby favorite Bellamy Road injured themselves somewhere during the race. Wilko bled, as well.

And then there was Giacomo, at his own pace, weaving through the battle-scarred crowd, passing tired horses while outrunning others who were racing to sick bay rather than the finish line.

So, it comes as no surprise that Saturday's Grade I Preakness Stakes may test the limits of the starting gate capacity of 14 at Pimlico race course for the 130th renewal of the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.

Like Rodney Dangerfield, Giacomo gets no respect.

As many as 10 from the 20-horse Kentucky Derby field are heading to Baltimore for round two in the 1 3/16-mile race.

Joining Giacomo are Derby runner-up Closing Argument and third-place finisher Afleet Alex.

Trainer Tim Ritchey says he can't wait for a rematch with his Afleet Alex.

Greeley's Galaxy will try to avenge his 11th-place showing while trying to recover the $200,000 supplemental fee his owner B. Wayne Hughes paid for that Derby experience.

Greeley's Galaxy worked admirably in the Churchill Downs slop on Saturday preparing for his trip to Pimlico. Although the Derby was a thrill for 83-year-old trainer Warren Stute, he wants another chance to show the Greeley's Galaxy that won the Illinois Derby in a runaway.

The same could be said about High Limit, who had the distinction of finishing 20th and last in the Derby. Edgar Prado, who was a kingpin on the Maryland racing circuit before moving to New York, replaces Ramon Dominguez for this round.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile champ Wilko has had his share of bad karma as a 3-year-old. Plagued by wide trips in Derby prep races, he bled in the Derby while still finishing in front of more than half the field. He will try to improve on that sixth-place finish as he attempts to recapture some of his juvenile luster while sharing the spotlight with crabcakes.

Sitting on the Preakness Stakes fence from the Derby are trainer D. Wayne Lukas' 18th-place finisher Going Wild and possibly a trio from the shell-shocked Nick Zito barn. Zito had 25 percent of the Derby field -- a quality fivesome that included the favorite -- and didn't finish in the top quarter of the race.

While Bellamy Road is on the mend and Andromeda's Hero awaits the longer Belmont Stakes, Zito still has 10th-place finisher High Fly, 14th-place finisher Noble Causeway and 15th-place finisher Sun King eating up the oats in waiting for their next start.

But, before you chuck the Derby baby with the Louisville water, it should be noted that Charismatic won the Kentucky Derby in 1999 at 31-1 odds, was dismissed in the Preakness Stakes at 8-1 odds, and tested fate for a Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes before ending his career. To be fair and balanced, trainer Nick Zito was baffled with the effort of his Louis Quatorze, who finished 16th in the 1996 Kentucky Derby, before redeeming his trainer's faith with a solid daylight win in that year's Preakness Stakes.

And then there is recent Triple Crown history.

Over the past eight years a horse has come to Pimlico in search of the second jewel of the Triple Crown. In 1997 Silver Charm, followed by Real Quiet in 1998, then Charismatic in 1999 all won. Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus failed in the 2000 Preakness as did 2001 Derby winner Monarchos. But, War Emblem in 2002, then Funny Cide in 2003 and last year Smarty Jones again picked up the Triple Crown pace with victories in the Preakness Stakes.

So, maybe the pundits and horsemen are missing the obvious. Maybe, just maybe, Giacomo has come into his own. Maybe Giacomo is the real thing. And, maybe he wins the Preakness -- fair and square -- while repaying his loyal backers with yet another good return on their investments.

Because the only sure thing about this Preakness Stakes is that Giacomo won't be the favorite to win.

And, maybe that's a good thing.