Schoolyard Dreams Racehorse Preakness Stakes Preview

Schoolyard Dreams
2-2-1, 6 Races

Notable Past Performances

Race
Wood Memorial (G1)
Tampa Bay Derby (G3)
Sam F. Davis (G3)

Distance
1 1/8
1 1/16
1 1/16

Odds
8.70
5.40
9.50

Post
4
5
2

End Result
4
2
2

Schoolyard Dreams isn't going to be a horse that you see much action on this weekend because of his past performances. Yes, he has posted some solid speed ratings with three straight runs in the 90s, but finishing fourth at the Wood Memorial and second in both the Tampa Bay Derby and the Sam F. Davis against relatively weak fields aren't what you'd call impressive.

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What is impressive is Schoolyard Dreams' pedigree. Just like so many other horses at the top flight of horse racing, this thoroughbred has A.P. Indy, Seattle Slew, and Mr. Prospector, three champion horses, in his bloodlines. One would think that neither speed nor stamina would be an issue for this horse, but what we found out when he tried running at 1 1/8 miles at the Wood was that he probably wasn't ready for that long of a race quite yet. Schoolyard Dreams dropped back over eight lengths in the final two furlongs. Now, another 1/16 of a mile must be added to that to complete the Preakness Stakes.

Trying to find a jockey for this horse has been difficult as well. Schoolyard Dreams has been ridden by six different jockeys in as many races, and Eibar Coa will make jockey #7 that takes his mount on Saturday. Coa has only run in one other Preakness Stakes, that of which came last year aboard Musket Man.

Derek Ryan, an Irish born trainer, really doesn't have a lot of experience at the Triple Crown level and has never prepared a horse that ultimately went on to win a Triple Crown race. Many believe that it's going to be incredibly difficult for that to change this weekend at the Preakness Stakes.