Preakness Profile: Skippylongstocking * The Racing Biz

Preakness Profile: Skippylongstocking

Gary Quill
May 21, 2022

Longshot Skippylongstocking is certainly behind some of his rivals here in terms of development — but how far behind is the question.

The son of Exaggerator — himself a Preakness winner — arrives off back-to-back strong outings at nine furlongs. Following an allowance win two back at Gulfstream, he turned in a solid third-place performance in the Wood Memorial behind runner-up Early Voting, the second choice here, and Mo Donegal, who ran well in the Kentucky Derby.

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GQ SAYS…

Trainer / Jockey (Preakness Mounts W-P-S): Saffie Joseph, Jr. / Junior Alvarado (1:0-0-0)

Last Race (Finish): Wood Memorial (3^rd)

Morning Line Odds: 20-1

Watching Skippy’s recent race replays, something seems apparent… he prefers going two-turns. In his four races this year, he raced a one-turn mile twice and appeared to be tiring, but his rider advised trainer Saffie Joseph, “He wants two-turns”. So, in his next race at 1 1/8 miles versus the same class level when going one mile, Skippy romped by nearly 4 lengths.

Next up was the Wood Memorial. Again, he show an affinity for two-turns, but was only third best that day. His sire Exaggerator won the Preakness in 2016 as did his grandsire Curlin in 2007.

What concerns me is that his dam had a short career has a turf sprinter. His half-brother (Moonlite Strike) a few years ago competed in three Derby Trail events going two-turns, and his best finish was 3^rd in Tampa Derby, while never winning beyond one mile. So, I’m conflicted. I like what I’ve seen from him so far at Pimlico, but does he have the stamina to win at 1 3/16 miles? Probably not but worth using underneath.