Battle of the Gray-Haired Trainers in Tomorrow's Preakness

"Good things come to those who wait."  Well, that couldn't be more true for two senior citizen-trainers who probably will battle it out for a win in tomorrow's Preakness at Pimlico.

We're all hoping California Chrome will pull it off but he has real competition with Social Inclusion who did not race in the Derby.  Social Inclusion's 110 Beyer Speed Rating surprisingly exceeds that of California Chrome at 108 and he's well-bred for speed and strength and could be a real roadblock for the chestnut stallion from California.

But the other story is that of the two trainers. We've all heard the story about Art Sherman, the 77-year old trainer of California Chrome, the oldest in Derby history.  But if Social Inclusion wins, his 85-year old trainer, Manny Azpurua will be the oldest to saddle a Triple Crown race winner.  And Social Inclusion is no slouch.  He smashed the track record on March 12th at Gulfstream Park for a mile-and-sixteenth.  He was not raced as a 2-year-old.

 (Social Inclusion - Could He Be the Spoiler at Pimlico?)

“Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons was 82 years, 10 months when he won the 1957 Preakness with Bold Ruler.

I'm pulling for the chestnut but he has a real threat on his hands with Social Inclusion.  In my mind, both trainers are winners, any way you look at it.  Who says age matters?