Bob Ehalt and Tom Pedulla grew to become quick pals once they met on their first day at Fordham Preparatory Faculty within the Bronx, N.Y., in 1970. Bob quickly launched Tom to the fun of Thoroughbred racing.
They’ve endured some tough moments on the observe, with Tom taking exception when Bob repeatedly smacks him on the again with a program as one in all their horses launches an all-out drive. A lot to Tom’s chagrin and the amusement of onlookers, Bob has been recognized to name for safety as he proceeds to money a $27 triple.
They’ve owned quite a few horses collectively and had been a part of the group that owned 1998 Whitney runner-up Story of the Cat. They’re typically seen carrying on as in the event that they by no means left their teenage years.
Right here is their tackle the 149th Preakness Stakes, to be run Saturday at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course:
PEDULLA: Bob, I had Sierra Leone, Ceaselessly Younger, and Catching Freedom in my high 4 on the Kentucky Derby Offered by Woodford Reserve. However I assume that’s nothing to brag about since my lone miss was a giant one – Mystik Dan. As you nicely know, not the primary time I got here shut however not shut sufficient. I’m nonetheless not a believer in Mystik Dan. My Preakness decide is Catching Freedom. He gained the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby on the 1 3/16-mile Preakness distance, so we all know he can deal with floor. Coach Brad Cox’s willingness to run him again two weeks after the Kentucky Derby tells us this colt is doing nicely. So long as Catching Freedom will get a strong tempo, he’ll get the job completed.
EHALT: Effectively, Thomas, our mixed weight of expectations was a tad an excessive amount of for Sierra Leone, however we’re spreading our infamous jinx round within the Preakness. I anticipated Bob Baffert to run 1-2 with Muth and Creativeness. Now with Muth out of the race, I’ll daydream a bit and let my Creativeness run away with me. Can’t wager towards Baffert on this spot with a 3-year-old who confirmed some dedication in a slim Santa Anita Derby loss.
PEDULLA: Arkansas Derby winner Muth would have been my high decide however the “different” Baffert starter, Santa Anita Derby runner-up Creativeness, has a lot to commend him. He’s extraordinarily constant, by no means operating a foul race. He’ll run an excellent one right here.
EHALT: No want to fret in regards to the “different” Chad right here, so I’ll take Chad Brown’s lone starter, Tuscan Gold, for second. Brown’s Triple Crown starters are often very aggressive and Tuscan Gold suits his mannequin of success along with his finest Preakness runners: evenly raced and skipped the Kentucky Derby. It was Baffert and Chad operating 1-2 final yr and this yr will probably be an encore in Baltimore.
PEDULLA: Chad Brown appears to be like to rebound from a brutal beat in remaining winless within the Derby. In distinction, he’s a two-time winner of the Preakness. He needs to be revered right here with evenly raced however gifted Tuscan Gold, who should enhance considerably after operating third to Catching Freedom within the Louisiana Derby.
EHALT: Mystik Dan had a dream journey within the Kentucky Derby and narrowly gained. It’s asking rather a lot for lightning to strike twice, but when it rains Saturday you must respect him. I’ll hedge by placing him within the third spot on my tickets.
PEDULLA: I’m going to take a shot with Uncle Heavy to nab fourth. Though he was nicely overwhelmed within the Wooden Memorial Stakes Offered by Resorts World On line casino in his final begin, he fell sufferer to a poor journey as a lot as something. With Irad Ortiz Jr. getting a leg up this time, he’s eligible to enhance in a giant manner.
EHALT: Butch Reid doesn’t get as a lot consideration as he deserves for turning out high quality runners. When he ships to New York, I’ll embody his horses in my tickets. Appreciated the way in which Uncle Heavy closed late to win the Withers Stakes, and with Irad Ortiz Jr. taking the mount he’s positively price utilizing within the exotics on the form of worth you hardly ever get with Irad.
