You may never heard of the ‘poverty line’, but don’t worry, it’s nothing to do with destitution. What it is, in fact, is a centuries-old term used to describe an indentation, or groove, which runs between two large muscles – technically known as the biceps femoris and semitendinosus – in the rear thigh of a horse. In the same was as the poverty line is especially noticeable in extremely malnourished horses, so it is in extremely fit horses, such as racehorses. Of course, racehorses enjoy first-rate care and nutrition but, when ready to race, are maintained in lean condition.

Recent performances usually indicate when a horse is at, or approaching, peak fitness, but, if a horse has been absent for a while because of injury, unsuitable going or any other reason, the formbook student has no chance to assess its level of fitness. It’s not unusual for a horse returning from a break to carry a little extra weight, or ‘condition’, and lack muscle definition, such that it is unable to perform to the best of its ability. Put simply, unfit horses cannot win races. Nevertheless, while the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has strict ‘non-trier’ rules, which forbid trainers running their horses down the field, for the purposes of conditioning or schooling, plenty of horses incapable of winning appear on British racecourses every day.

However, with pictures of horses in the paddock shown regularly on terrestrial, cable and satellite television, including in betting shops, the off-course punter can, at least, gain an inkling into the fitness of each horse. During your paddock review, look for a shiny coat – if it’s glistening with a little sweat, that’s fine – together with a pronounced poverty line and tight, rippling muscles in the rear thighs. These are all signs that a horse is ‘hard fit’ and capable of a flat-out effort against its rivals.

Generally, Gold Cup winners tend to be around to 7 to 9-years-old. There is the odd exception, such as with 6-year-old Long Run winning back in 2011. However, for the older horses, those pushing towards their teenage years, the slog of the long distance tends to rule them out. Even the great Kauto Star could only manage a 3^rd place finish as an 11-year-old (also in 2011).

 

 

In fact, it’s been 50 years since a horse older than 10 has won the big one at Cheltenham. However, there is a certain 11-year-old who could give it a good crack (excuse the pun) this year – Thistlecrack. If you don’t know the Colin Tizzard-trained Thistlecrack, the best way to describe him is a very good horse who could have become a great horse. His glory years were in 2015 and 2016, when he won nine consecutive races, including some crackers (sorry), like the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and the 2016 King George VI Chase.

 

Injury thwarted 2017 Gold Cup

 

It was early 2017 when Thistlecrack was predicted to take that step to true greatness. He was the ante-post favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2017, but injury struck a few weeks before the Festival, and he has yet to win since. Hardly what you would call ‘Gold Cup form’ then, but there is a bit more to the tale of Thistlecrack than just a horse who has his best years behind him.

Those injuries took their toll on Thistlecrack. As a result, you shouldn’t put too much stock in those poor performances in his comeback races towards the back-end of 2017. Instead, you should look at the performances this season: A solid 3^rd in Betfair Chase in November was good after a lay-off of nearly a year, but Thistlecrack came within a whisker of winning the King George VI Chase in late-December. A 2^nd place finish wasn’t bad for the old boy.

 

Gold Cup betting markets intriguing in 2019

 

Of course, the majority of those runners in the King George are also going to be in the Gold Cup, so Colin Tizzard should have a lot of confidence for the Cheltenham showdown. The latest Cheltenham Festival betting offer for the Gold Cup has him at 16/1 with Betfair, but some bookies, like Bet365, have him down at 8/1, right among the favourites.

 

 

Who are those favourites? Presenting Percy leads the way at 3/1 (Bet365), He has been wrapped in cotton wool over the past year and did not appear in the King George VI Chase. However, last year’s Gold Cup winner, Native River, was 12 lengths behind Thistlecrack in the King George, and he is given odds of 11/2 (Betfair) to retain. Others of note include King George winner Clan Des Obeaux (10/1) and, of course, Might Bite, who is given odds of 20/1 from Unibet.

 

Can he do it?

 

Has Thistlecrack the stamina to upset the history books? Normally, you would shy away from backing an older horse to win such a prestigious long-distance chase. However, there have been several issues with the other candidates. Might Bite – the ante-post favourite for most of 2018 – has been awful. Native River hasn’t exactly being ripping it up either.

 

A lot of money and faith is going on Presenting Percy, with many feeling his time has come. But don’t rule out Thistlecrack. Two years ago, he was meant to take his place at the top of the Gold Cup table, perhaps he can provide one of the greatest comebacks of all in 2019?

Image Source: pixabay.com

The Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes Race is considered as the middle sister of the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. Although it is the second bijou of the horse racing family, it definitely does not come as second class when it comes to traditions and entertainment.

The Preakness Stakes Race had its first run at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland in 1873 and has always been held on the third Saturday of May. In terms of traditions, the Preakness is rich in heritage which adds to the horse racing sports appeal. Want to know more about Preakness’ treasured traditions? Then read up ahead for more information.

Painting of Pimlico Weather Vane

There was no other place to be on Preakness day than the Victorian building known as the Old Clubhouse from 1870 to 1996. The beautiful abode for the horse racing fans was decorated with gleaming wood floors and numerous sitting rooms, a wrap-around porch and was topped with an ornate cupola and an arrow-shaped weather vane.

However, the building was set on fire in June 1996 and the only saved thing was the iron weather vane which then was put away for safekeeping at the Pimlico as a memento. The Maryland Jockey Club then, commissioned an ornamental ironworker to forge a vane with a form of a horse and a rider. By the spring, the weather vane was Christened by a coating with the colors of the silks from the winner of 1909 Preakness, Effendi.

Now, it has become a tradition that every time the winner of the Preakness Stakes Race has been declared officially, a painter will climb up a ladder towards the weather vane and applies the colors of the victorious owner’s silks.

Woodlawn Vase

The Woodlawn Vase is passed down from winner to winner ever since it was created in 1960. This trophy was created by Tiffany and Company in 1860 which is a solid sterling silver piece that has been touted as “the most expensive trophy in American Sports” by the Preakness officials, with an insurance appraisal value estimated to be worth 4 million dollars in today’s time.

However, that all changed when A.G Vanderbilt’s Native Dancer won it but refused to safe-keep the precious trophy since his wife did not want to take on the immense responsibility the Woodlawn Vase brings. Thus, to resolve the issue, the passed down trophy has been changed into a 30,000-dollar sterling replica and is now the winning owner’s award on a permanent basis while the perpetual is on display at The Baltimore Museum of Art which is brought to Pimlico with guards securing its safety for the annual running of the Preakness.

Black-Eyed Susan Blanket

The Black-Eyed Susan Blanket has remained a long-standing tradition in presenting the winner of the Preakness. The winner of the race is draped with the blanket across its shoulders, and the Preakness winner who was the first to wear the floral blanket of the Black-Eyed Susans was Colonel Edward R. Bradley ‘s Bimelech in 1940.

The construction of the blanket has varied in the method, from being loosely intertwined garland of black-eyed Susan flowers tied with hemp rope, to the type of presentation the current blanket has today. The floral blanket is created shortly before the Preakness Day, which takes about eight hours with four people making the blanket.

Preakness’ Official Drink

Raise a glass whether you are on your victorious state or you’re cheering on, nevertheless this official cocktail drink tradition is a must-taste for a fine and joyous day. This traditional drink is called as the Black-Eyed Susan, which is served at the Alibi Breakfast to the fans gathering on the Black-Eyed Susan Day and Preakness Day.

Its recipe has been changed over the years but even with the changes, the liquor used for this drink is the company that is currently sponsoring it. However, the appearance of this drink has mostly stayed similar over the course of years, with its pale-yellow color and fruity flavor served in a special glass with the current year’s logo and a list of all the Preakness’ champions.

Preakness Stakes Song

Maryland, My Maryland is the traditional Preakness Stakes Song wherein the Pimlico crowd joins in the singing while it is usually being performed by the United States Naval Academy Glee Club.

Takeaway

Isn’t it great to know the joyous traditions of the much-awaited Preakness Day? Surely there’s not an hour that you will feel bored since the event will be filled with thrilling moments and merriment. As for the new budding horse racing enthusiasts, knowing these surely just pumped up the horse racing aficionado in you, didn’t it?

Hence this is the main reason why you should buckle up and hold your horses till the much-awaited Preakness day. Lastly, if you would like to be more excited on of the upcoming Preakness Day, you may do your research by visiting sites like https://www.tvg.com/promos/preakness-stakes/ which can give you a full view of the much awaited event.

— IRIS (@IRISRacing) 20 January 2019

 

Jockey Mikey Sweeney performed something of a miracle recovery, while riding Ask Heather  in a Killeagh Point to Point race yesterday. After almost falling at the last fence and looking to be out of contention, Sweeney showed what’s possible when you (literally) hang on in there.