Field of Twelve Horses For Preakness

As the third Saturday in May approaches, racing fans are looking for the best horse to bet on for the Grade I Preakness Stakes, which takes place tomorrow at 6:30pm at Pimlico Park in Baltimore, Maryland, however, NBC's coverage begins at 4:30.  Here are the post positions and particulars for each horse.  Good luck, and I hope you enjoy the Run for the Black-Eyed Susans! 

1 - AIKENITE, owner Dogwood Stable, trainer Todd Pletcher, jockey Javier Castellano (20-1)

2 - SCHOOLYARD DREAMS, owners Eric Fein & Anthony Mitola, trainer Derek Ryan, jockey Eibar Coa (15-1)

3 - PLEASANT PRINCE, owners Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey, Trainer Wesley Ward, jockey Julien Leparoux (20-1)
 

4 - NORTHERN GIANT, owner Westrock Stables, trainer D. Wayne Lukas, jockey Terry Thompson (30-1)

5 - YAWANNA TWIST, owner Steel Your Face Stable, trainer Rick Dutrow, jockey Edgar Prado (30-1)

6 - JACKSON BEND, owners Robert La Penta & Fred J. Brie, trainer Nick Zito, jockey Mike Smith (12-1)

7 - LOOKIN AT LUCKY, owner Mike Pegram, Karl Watson & Paul Weitman, trainer Bob Bafftert, jockey Martin Garcia (3-1)

8 - SUPER SAVER, owner Winstar Farm, Trainer Todd Pletcher, jockey Calvin Borel (5-2)

9 - CARACORTADO, owner Blahut Racing & Hi Lo Racing, trainer Mick Machowsky, jockey Paul Atkinson (10-1)

10 - PADDY O'PRADO, owner Donegal Racing, trainer Dale Romans, jockey Kent Desormeaux (9-2)

11 - FIRST DUDE, owner Donald Dizney, trainer Dale Romans, jockey Ramon Dominguez (20-1)

12 - DUBLIN, owner Robert Baker & William Mac, trainer D. Wayne Lukas, jockey Garret Gomez (10-1)


The Black-Eyed Susan Blanket
A long-standing Preakness tradition is to drape a blanket of Black-Eyed Susans across the shoulders of the winning horse. The 18 x 90 inch blanket takes three people two full days to create. First they attach a layer of greenery to a perforated spongy rubber base. Then they string more than 80 bunches of Viking daises together on flocked wire and interweave them into holes in the matte. The ends of the wire are snipped closely and the whole back of the blanket is covered with thick felt. Because Black-Eyed Susans do not bloom until June in Maryland, the centers of the daises are daubed with black lacquer to recreate the correct appearance. The blanket is then sprayed with water and refrigerated until it is presented to the winner on Preakness day.