Three classic events are up for decision this weekend, one in the USA and a couple in Ireland.

Teeing off the proceedings is the Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh in Co. Kildare, to be run over the metric mile (1600 m.) at 3:45 p.m. local this evening (8:15 p.m. IST in India). Just eight have accepted of which honestly speaking there are a mere four in serious contention. These include the 9-to-4 favourite, Dubawi Gold (by Dubawi), coming off a runner-up effort behind the mighty Frankel in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket 3 weeks ago, and the 7 to 2 Roderic O'Connor (by Galileo), who blotted his copybook last time out but had been closer to Frankel when came runner-up in the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes last October. The last-named is from the Aidan O'Brien stable, which has taken home this prize six times in the past.

The most serious challenge to this pair comes from the once-beaten 5-to-2 shot, Dunboyne Express (by Shamardal), representing veteran Kevin Prendergast, who annexed this prize 35 years ago with Northern Treasure. That brings us to Zabarajad (by Invincible Spirit), whose price of 11-to-2 reflects the fact that he is still a maiden (after 3 starts). Still, one can underestimate an Aga Khan bred-and-owned runner trained by John Oxx only at one's peril! Some light rain is expected before the race gets under way. This classic will be followed a few hours later by the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the American Triple Crown, to be run at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, at 6:18 p.m. Eastern (3:48 a.m. IST on Sunday, May 22nd in India). The weather is forecast to be warm and partly cloudy.

A full field of 14 is expected to take part, with nine newcomers joining four defeated customers in challenging Kentucky Derby winner, Animal Kingdom (by Leroidesanimaux). The last-named has had an uneventful and relatively light preparation; given that there is only a two-week gap between the first two legs, this was only to be expected. Trainer Graham Motion has kept the colt away from the hurly-burly of the racetrack, preferring to retain him at the Fair Hills Training Centre, just an hour's drive from the scene of his next appearance, and to van him to the track on race-day morning.

There continues to be solid support for Dialed In (by Mineshaft), the beaten favourite in the Kentucky Derby, and the two are almost evenly matched in terms of current odds (which obviously differ from the expected odds quoted in the table below). “I still believe Dialed In is the best 3-year-old in the country,” ventured his trainer, Nick Zito, who attributed his Kentucky Derby defeat to the slow pace of that race. Also drawing their share of supporters are Mucho Macho Man (by Macho Uno) and Shackleford (by Forestry), the third and fourth-placed runners in the Kentucky Derby.

The early pace in the Preakness is sure to be significantly faster than in the Kentucky Derby, with Flashpoint (by Pomeroy) and Dance City (by City Zip) expected to make the running. However, for a come-from-behind runner this is not any sort of drawback. Motion himself sees no problem: “I can only imagine the pace is probably an advantage to him,” he said, adding, “I don’t know why it would hurt him.” Rider Johnny Velazquez retains the mount while Robby Albarado, who was replaced in somewhat controversial circumstances in the Kentucky Derby, will be astride King Congie (by Badge Of Silver). Team Valor's principal, Barry Irwin, summed it up succinctly: "If he doesn't have a lot of trouble in the race, he is going to win".

The Preakness Stakes (Gr.1)
May 21st, 2011, $1-million added
For 3-y-olds , 1-3/16 miles, Pimlico Race Course
 

 Switching back across the Atlantic, 4:15 p.m. on Sunday afternoon (8:45 p.m. IST in India) will see the Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas being run, like its sibling, over 1600 m at The Curragh. Fifteen fillies are in opposition, the highest rated being Aidan O'Brien's pair, both daughters of Galileo, namely Together, with Ryan Moore astride, and Misty For Me, who has Seamie Heffernan at the controls. But for a last-gasp effort on the part of Blue Bunting in the corresponding event at Newmarket about three weeks ago, Together would have scored and a reproduction of that effort should see her in the winners' enclosure.

The betting market suggests that the Aga Khan's Emiyna (by Maria's Mon) with Johnny Murtagh up would be the principal danger at 5-to-1. "She is proven to an extent in that she's won a Group Three and has shown a good turn of foot," said her trainer, John Oxx. One intriguing customer is Banimpire (by Holy Roman Emperor), who has already appeared four times this spring and is coming off a hat-trick. Kevin Manning will steer Jim Bolger's ward, who is at 8-to-1. "She's in good form and has been running well. Her form is good," her trainer commented.

Incidentally, O'Brien also fields a pair of Danehill Dancer fillies in Wild Wind (Colm O'Donoghue) and Look At Me (Joseph O'Brien) but on form they have something to find.