Unbridled May Lack Versatility Needed to Succeed at Preakness

The character of the Kentucky Derby winner usually dictates the flavor of the Preakness.

There is the charismatic Derby winner. Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Spectacular Bid were of this type. They brought to Pimlico the shared anticipation of singular accomplishment. A truly special horse can carry Preakness week by himself.

On the opposite side of charisma’s coin is the type that comes to Maryland having to duplicate the success of Kentucky to establish themselves. Winning Colors, Alysheba, Ferdinand, Swale, Sunny’s Halo, Pleasant Colony and Genuine Risk fit beneath this umbrella. Some succeed; most fail. The Derby and Preakness may be racing’s second-toughest winning streak.

The exceptions are the horses accompanied to Baltimore by the anticipation of a rematch. Affirmed was dogged by Alydar, Sunday Silence by Easy Goer. These are the most compelling Preaknesses and the most rare.

Unbridled fits neatly into the second category. He is a one-paced stayer, probably at his best at about 1 1/4 miles, always at the mercy of pace and forever dependent upon the ability of his rider to avoid trouble. He was clearly the best horse May 5 at Churchill Downs, and he won the Derby impressively for 92-year-old owner Frances Genter. But he will not be an overwhelming Preakness favorite Saturday.

Carl Nafzger was confident throughout Derby week that Unbridled would run his race. He was correct. In fact, every horse in the Derby except Summer Squall ran Unbridled’s race.

Now for the Preakness.

This is a different game, and Unbridled must display versatility he may not have. Pleasant Colony, Alysheba and Sunday Silence passed this test. Genuine Risk, Sunny’s Halo, Swale, Ferdinand and Winning Colors failed.

Mister Frisky will be a factor in Baltimore. If he can control the track in a field with a good deal less speed than the Derby, where five horses were sent after the lead in a suicidal early pace, he threatens to be the Snow Chief of 1990: incinerated in Louisville, exonerated in Baltimore. He worked five furlongs in 59 2/5 seconds Sunday at Pimlico, significantly faster than he worked at Churchill a week before the Derby.

But will Mister Frisky control the pace? Kentucky Jazz is the cheap-speed portion of Wayne Lukas’ entry with Land Rush and has the potential to dictate the race’s development. Champagneforashley is another ingredient. He has the necessary tactical speed. He is fresh and a month off the Wood Memorial. He should be suited to the distance and will not lose touch with the pace.

And then there is Summer Squall. Is this where he falls off the table? His performance and his appearance were incongruous in Kentucky. He walked sorely to be saddled, appearing to favor his left foreleg, was hollow beneath the hip bones and with ribs protruding. His connections say there is nothing that can be done for his unsightly appearance, but Summer Squall is fine. And he ran his heart out as far as he held up in Kentucky, gaining the lead from a tired Mister Frisky near the mile mark and holding everyone safe except Unbridled.