Time to Shine for Versatile Medaglia d’Oro

Having given War Emblem no chance to win the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago when he was 20-1, there is no way to climb aboard the Preakness bandwagon that will make him the first or second choice in the wagering.

For the second race in a row, War Emblem was able to get away with an unpressured lead, and as he had in the Illinois Derby a month earlier, he took advantage in his first race for the Thoroughbred Corp. and trainer Bob Baffert at Churchill Downs.

Seeing how everybody now views him as the 3-year-old to beat and what can happen if he is left alone early, the early pace will be swift in the second leg of the Triple Crown.

None of the other early speed types have any chance of winning, but Table Limit, Booklet and Menacing Dennis are all drawn outside War Emblem and they have only one way to go.

If Victor Espinoza, War Emblem’s jockey, tries to run with that trio, he risks fading late. If he remains off the pace, the Kentucky-bred is going to have to show a new dimension to win the Preakness and head to New York with a chance to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

In his five victories, War Emblem has scored from off the pace only once. On Nov. 23 at the Fair Grounds, he was fifth early, more than three lengths off the lead, and won by 41/2 lengths at 2-1 against a weak allowance field.

When he failed to take the lead against tougher opposition, he retreated to fifth in the Lecomte at the same track on Jan. 26, then was a tiring sixth in the Risen Star on Feb. 17.

While doubts exist about War Emblem’s versatility, there are no such concerns with Medaglia d’Oro.

The El Prado colt was on the lead in the Wood Memorial, but, in his victory in the San Felipe at Santa Anita, he rallied after surrendering the top spot and was going away at the finish.

In the Derby, he was victimized by a troubled start, losing all position early, and he had other traffic problems along the way. Yet, he managed to finish fourth and was the only horse who made up ground in the final quarter of a mile.

If the anticipated scenario becomes reality, Medaglia d’Oro and new jockey Jerry Bailey could fall into a great spot entering the first turn. If three races in five weeks isn’t too rigorous a campaign, he can give trainer Bobby Frankel his first victory in a Triple Crown race.

Those who could join him in the exacta, trifecta and superfecta include Proud Citizen, the runner-up in the Derby who continues to improve for Wayne Lukas, U S S Tinosa, Harlan’s Holiday and Equality.

Hampered by a rough trip in the Santa Anita Derby, U S S Tinosa could have the right style for the race and there was nothing wrong with his two previous outings--a second in the San Felipe and a victory in the Sham.

Trained by Graham Motion, Equality had trouble as the favorite in the Aventura at Gulfstream Park and he’s another who could threaten in the stretch at a big price.

Harlan’s Holiday has been somewhat forgotten after finishing seventh as the 6-1 favorite in the Derby. It was his first off-the-board finish in 11 starts. If he rebounded, it would not be the first time a horse that failed as the favorite in Kentucky bounced back in Maryland. In fact, Point Given did it last year as did Snow Chief in 1986.

Easyfromthegitgo, Magic Weisner, Straight Gin and Crimson Hero will all be longshots for good reasons.

Nick Zito, who trains Straight Gin and Crimson Hero, has been saying that he thinks his colts could be factors in the Belmont. He could be right. If no other 3-year-olds enter the last Triple Crown race, they will probably finish 1-2.