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Desperate Finish In Baltimore Crown
Original article written by The Steward posted 16 years 2 weeks agoA desperate four-horse finish in the Week 7 Baltimore Crown proved to be the crowning achievement for Live Strong, a horse that shows even the little guy can make it big.
A Trial Park New Player Program graduate, Live Strong was bred by Eric Nalbone and is trained by Rob Kilbourn. The personable trainer has been in the game only eleven months, but is celebrating tonight because his gutsy colt pulled off a mild upset in the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Revenge and Live Strong hooked up with 5 furlongs left to run and dueled to the top of the stretch. Revenge cracked under the pressure, as he had in the Derby, raising concerns about whether he might be best at 1 1/8 miles. Alysse Jacob's Duke, the second choice behind Revenge, had stormed up on the outside and hooked Live Strong into the stretch. At this point in the Derby, Live Strong had folded to the mighty Braveheart, but in the Crown he simply pinned his ears and fought on determinedly. At one point in the stretch, Duke actually passed Live Strong.
To make matters worse, both Sensation and Peerless were storming down the lane on the outside. Sensation was under a heavy drive and nearly caught her two male rivals, while Peerless was uncoiling rapidly and is leaving little doubt that he will be a serious candidate for the rest of the year.
Live Strong gamely edged back in front in time for the wire to sweep overhead. Duke finished second, a nose in front of Sensation, with Peerless in fourth.
Live Strong will not contest the Long Island Classic, the third leg of the Triple Crown, leaving it wide open. Derby winner Braveheart is retired with injury. Last year, Monet won both the Derby and the Long Island Classic, while King of Jesters won the Baltimore Crown.