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Illinois Housing Market News

by on May 20, 2012

Existing home sales in Illinois rose for the sixth consecutive month as low housing prices, low current Illinois mortgage rates, and attractive distressed properties fueled demand for houses.

Sales of existing homes and condos in the Chicago area rose 32% in February compared to the previous February. nearly 40% of home sales in Chicago last month were distressed properties. In the past distressed properties were synonymous with ramshackle houses in run-down neighborhoods in dire need of repair. In the current economic climate, however, there are many distressed properties in good condition that are move-in ready. These foreclosed houses are selling at bargain prices and are depressing prices for homes that are not distressed that have to compete with low prices. Over the past sixth months the median house price in the Chicago area dropped 17%.

Foreclosure filings in Illinois were up 21% in February. The upside to this is that before the recovery in the housing market can truly take hold, the market will have to absorb the supply of distressed homes. This process will definitely cause hardship for many sellers, but is a necessary process.

What does all this mean to the average home-buyer in Illinois? it is surely a buyer’s market right now. Prices are at low levels that have not been seen for years. for those who qualify, current mortgage rates are very near their historic lows. The average national 30 year fixed mortgage rate was 4.96% last week. Total Mortgage offers Illinois mortgage rates well below the national average:

Rate
APR

Illinois 30 Year Fixed Conventional Mortgage

4.5%
4.710%

Illinois 15 Year Fixed Conventional Mortgage

4.0%
4.363%

Illinois 30 Year Fixed FHA Mortgage

4.5%
5.422%

Illinois 30 Year Fixed Jumbo Mortgage

5.5%
5.716%

Illinois 15 Year Fixed Jumbo Mortgage

4.0%
4.352%

Illinois 5/1 ARM Conforming Mortgage

3.0%
3.249%

Illinois 5/1 ARM Jumbo Mortgage

3.625%
3.303%

* All rates shown are for 30 day rate locks. Longer locks available. The APR for conventional loan amounts is calculated using a loan amount of $417,000, 2 points, a $495 application fee, $500 loan processing fee, $715 underwriting fee and a $16 flood certification fee. The APR for jumbo loan amounts is calculated using a loan amount of $500,000, two points, a $495 application fee, $500 loan processing fee, $715 underwriting fee and a $16 flood certification fee. The APR for FHA loan amounts is calculated using a loan amount of $295,000, two points, a $495 application fee, $500 loan processing fee, $715 underwriting fee and a $16 flood certification fee. Some rates and fees may vary by state. All interest rates listed are for qualified applicants and are subject to mortgage approval. All rates are subject to change without notice. All rates assume a credit score of 740+ and are subject to change. Rates are quoted from Totalmortgage.com as of 12PM on Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010.

If you are in the market for a home in Illinois, Total Mortgage would be proud to help find you the right mortgage for your situation. for more than a decade we have offered some of the best mortgage rates in the industry and exceptional customer service. We know the market inside and out and are able to use our in house processing and underwriting to cut costs and save you money. call us today at 877-868-2503 and learn how we can save you money today.

I’ll Have Another wins Preakness Stakes

by on May 20, 2012

Kentucky Derby champion I’ll have another won the $1 million Preakness Stakes to remain on course for the Triple Crown, the greatest prize in US thoroughbred horse racing.

I'll have another (L) with jockey Mario Gutierrez aboard passes Bodemeister with jockey Mike E. Smith aboard to win the 137th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race course in Baltimore - 0

It has been 34 years since the last horse, Affirmed, swept the three classic races, but I’ll have another has the chance to join the sport’s elite if he can win the Belmont Stakes in New York on June 9.

Patiently ridden by Mexican jockey Mario Gutierrez, I’ll have another completed the second leg when he wore down Bodemeister in the shadows of the post to win by a neck.

“It’s just kind of surreal,” said I’ll have Another’s jubiliant trainer Doug O’Neill. “Going into today, I thought this horse was a really, really good horse.

“And after today, he’s proven this is a great horse. He’s really a great horse.”

Guiterrez stalked the front-running Bodemeister the entire race, galloping comfortably in fourth place along the backstretch.

The Kentucky-bred chestnut son of Flower Alley inched up to third while leaving the far turn before finding another gear with a furlong left to challenge Bodemeister.

Gutierrez, 25, a top rider for six years at tiny Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, British Columbia, pumped his fist after I’ll have another crossed the finish line, a neck ahead of Bodemeister.

“The horse deserves the credit,” he said. “He earned it. he never got a lucky trip. he has proven himself in the run. I just want to prepare. I want to be on the same level as him.

“He’s an amazing horse, and I’m happy to be riding him.”

Bodemeister set a suicidal pace at the Derby two weeks ago and weakened to finish behind the fast-finishing I’ll have another by one and a half.

On Saturday, Smith said he thought Bodemeister was headed to the winner’s circle until he saw I’ll have another exploding up the middle of the track.

“I thought I put him away but he reached up and got us with three strides,” he said. “Two great horses and I give them all the credit for what they did.”

Bodemeister’s Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, looking for his sixth Preakness triumph, conceded I’ll have Another’s bid for the Triple Crown “is good for the sport, it’s good for the Belmont” but he added the heartbreaking loss was “tough.”

“The winner’s a good horse,” said Baffert. “It was a good horse race. I really can’t complain. we didn’t win it but my horse ran his race.”

Creative Cause, second for much of the race, finished third in front of a record crowd of 121,309 at Pimlico Race course.

Trainer Mike Harrington said he believes his colt’s pushing Bodemeister influenced the outcome.

“He just got outrun,” Harrington said of his Kentucky-bred grey. “He always brings his best race. he just couldn’t outrun those horses today. What can you do? You’ve got to try to win the race.

“(Jockey) Joel Rosario tried to win the race. I have no regrets. he probably won it for I’ll have another.”

A three-year-old chestnut colt, I’ll have another paid $8.40 for a $2 win ticket. he started second favourite behind Bodemeister over the mile and three-sixteenths (1.91 kilometres) trip on dirt.

I’ll have another became the 22nd horse to win the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.

Only half of those have gone on to win the Belmont, the longest and most gruelling of the three races. The last horse to win to win the first two legs but not the last was big Brown in 2008.

“The way this horse runs, they’re going to have a hard time catching him,” said O’Neill, whose colt is unbeaten from four starts in 2012.

“I don’t think anybody doubts he’ll get the mile and a half. So we’re excited. I can’t wait to get to New York.”

Full result:

1. I’ll have another (Mario Gutierrez)

2. Bodemeister (Mike Smith)

3. Creative Cause (Joel Rosario)

4. Zetterholm (Junior Alvarado)

5. Teeth of the Dog (Joe Bravo)

6. Optimizer (Corey Nakatani)

7. Cozzetti (Jose Lezcano)

8. Tiger Walk (Ramon Dominguez)

9. Daddy Nose best (Julien Leparoux)

10. Went The Day Well (John Velazquez)

11. Pretension (Javier Santiago)

Winner trained by: Doug O’Neill

Winner paid $8.40 for a $2 win bet

Margins: neck, eight and three-quarter lengths

Reuters

I’ll Have Another wins Preakness Stakes

BREAKING: NAACP Supports Marriage Equality, Says Position Is “Consistent With Equal Protection” « Women Born Transsexual

by on May 20, 2012

From Metro Weekly: http://www.metroweekly.com/poliglot/2012/05/breaking-naacp-supports-marriage-equality-says-pos.html

Posted by Chris GeidnerMay 19, 2012

Today, the board of directors of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People endorsed the rights of same-sex couples to marry, stating in a resolution that the national civil-rights organization “support[s] marriage equality consistent with equal protection under the law provided under the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.”

Although NAACP leaders like former board chair and board member Julian Bond have been on the record as strong supporters of marriage equality, today’s move represents the first time the organization took a position in support of marriage equality.

The full resolution, which former NAACP senior vice president Maxim Thorne wrote was passed with only two members of the 64-member board opposed, states:

The NAACP Constitution affirmatively states our objective to ensure the “political, education, social and economic equality” of all people. Therefore, the NAACP has opposed and will continue to oppose any national, state, local policy or legislative initiative that seeks to codify discrimination or hatred into the law or to remove the Constitutional rights of LGBT citizens. we support marriage equality consistent with equal protection under the law provided under the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Further, we strongly affirm the religious freedoms of all people as protected by the first Amendment.

Thorne, who has worked for both the NAACP and the Human Rights Campaign, tweeted, “the NAACP Board of Directors has just endorsed marriage equality unequivocally. only two opposed! An historic moment.”

In a statement released by the NAACP, Roslyn Brock, NAACP board chair, said, “the mission of the NAACP has always been to ensure the political, social and economic equality of all people. we have and will oppose efforts to codify discrimination into law.”

Continue reading at: http://www.metroweekly.com/poliglot/2012/05/breaking-naacp-supports-marriage-equality-says-pos.html

Eli Manning prepares to host ‘Saturday Night Live’

by on May 20, 2012

NEW YORK – Eli Manning sensed his brother’s shadow even as a comedic actor.

“Saturday Night Live” producers invited the new York Giants quarterback to host after he won his first Super Bowl in 2008. One of the many reasons he declined was that Peyton Manning had hosted the show a year earlier after his own championship.

“Peyton had done so well the previous year, I thought it might be a little fresh in everyone’s minds,” Eli said Wednesday. “I did not want to have to go up against a tough competition and the great job that he performed.”

Manning recalled he sent word back that perhaps he’d host if he won another title. sure enough, he said yes after his second ring and will star in the late-night sketches this Saturday.

“I had not proven myself as much as I wanted to,” he said of that initial offer four years ago.

Manning and SNL chief Lorne Michaels took part in a conference call Wednesday, hours before the quarterback would start acting out 40-45 skits to whittle down to 12 or 13 to be potentially performed in front of that live television audience.

He made the short trip into Manhattan from Hoboken, N.J., on Monday and Tuesday afternoon to meet with writers and cast members at NBC’s Rockefeller Center studios. Wednesday afternoon would be the first time Manning saw the scripts and rehearsed, and he was eager to get going.

He sat in the audience, laughing along, when Peyton hosted in 2007, an episode that included a memorable sketch lampooning the NFL’s United way commercials. Eli sought his brother’s advice before accepting his own invitation.

Peyton told him: “The one thing you are used to doing is live — that’s something you do every week during the football season.”

“We know how Eli reacts both under pressure and also with changing things quickly,” Michaels said. “I don’t think we’re making any other kinds of concession because it’s an athlete over an actor, comedian or singer — or politician, for that matter.”

John Madden, who hosted in 1982, called Manning on Wednesday and offered the same counsel that Peyton did, encouraging him to savor working with the writers and cast members during the week. Eli said he and his brother were comfortable poking fun at themselves.

“The good thing about ‘Saturday Night Live’ is you can come in and maybe express the different sides that people don’t see,” he said. “Maybe that’s not you at all times, but for this night you can kind of let loose.”

The Mannings grew up watching SNL, and Eli said he owned several “Best of” DVDs for former cast members, particularly liking the clips of their auditions for the show.

“That style of humor, I appreciate it,” he said. “It’s what I enjoy to watch.”

His favorite all-time SNL skit is probably the one in which Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze gyrated as Chippendales dancers. Manning’s teammates keep asking about what rehearsals are like and planning their watching parties.

Rihanna is Saturday’s musical guest and Michaels said he’d like to include her in a skit. Asked which Manning brother is funnier, the SNL creator replied, “We won’t really know that til Saturday.”

Michaels described Eli as “charming and radiates a certain kind of intelligence.”

“You sort of believe he doesn’t take himself that seriously,” he said. “I think he takes his work very seriously. but there’s a sort of central modesty to him. That plays well with what we do. if the host is spending a lot of time protecting an image, it’s exhausting — particularly for us.”

With impeccable comedic timing, Manning interjected, “I’m blushing, Lorne.”

Follow Rachel Cohen at http://twitter.com/RachelCohenAP.

Belmont: Favorites prevail in Tiller, Key Cents stakes

by on May 20, 2012

Strong favorites Summer Breezing and Opus a got the job done in a pair of overnight stakes on Sunday’s card at Belmont Park.

Summer Breezing ($3.10), back on turf following a 10 1/2-length romp on Keeneland’s Polytrack, overcame a bumping incident which caused him to steady to post a half-length victory in the $90,000 Tiller for 3-year-olds.

About a quarter-mile into the seven-furlong race, Summer Breezing brushed with pacesetter mr. Prankster, then bobbled as jockey Jose Lezcano had to act quickly to avoid clipping heels. Summer Breezing remained composed while racing in the two path, put a head in front of Margano with a furlong remaining, and dug down to win in a time of 1:20.72. mr. Prankster finished third at 9-1, a length behind the runner-up.

Summer Breezing, a son of Langfuhr owned by Peter Deutsch and trained by Christophe Clement, is now 3 for 5 lifetime.

In the $90,000 Key Cents for fillies and mares going a mile on the main track, Opus a ($5) scored a front-running two-length victory under Alan Garcia.

Lady on the Run finished second, 5 1/2 lengths clear of Go Unbridled.

Opus a, a 5-year-old mare trained by Rick Violette Jr. for Broadway Blue Stable, is now 6 for 14 lifetime with stakes wins in three of her last four starts. She ran the distance in 1:36.03.

Belmont: Favorites prevail in Tiller, Key Cents stakes

Memorial Day Salute Committee Planning Huge Parade

by on May 20, 2012

The Fulton Service Clubs (Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary Sunrise) and the Fulton Veterans Council have completed the planning for the 31st Annual Memorial Day Salute to be held on May 25 and 26.

The parade committee has been working for several months putting together the area’slargest parade. the parade date is Saturday, May 26th, and it will start at 10 a.m.

The Memorial Day parade is the Fulton Service Clubs’ way of honoring all area veterans.

However, the parade is open to all groups and businesses in the area. the theme for this year’s parade is “America……Worth Fighting For”. the committee will award trophies in several categories for the best representation of the theme.

Last year’s winner of “The Grand Marshall Award” for the most patriotic and interesting group was the Fulton Elks Club Lodge #830 float. their float was elegantly decorated and gave a very positive patriotic message to the audience and the parade judges.

A parade is music, with bands of different sizes and sounds. the “Best Music Trophy” was awarded to the Central Square Middle School Marching Band, under the direction of Andrew Graziano.

Graziano works hard with his students to develop their skills. his band is large and thesound is outstanding for children of that age level.

The Fulton Wrestling Club won the “Theme Trophy.” their float was colorful, had manychildren on board and displayed large pictures of many former club members who are now serving in the armed forces which impressed the judges.

The Fulton Wrestling Club met all aspects of the parade theme of “Proud to Be An American.”

There are always a large number of children’s groups in the parade, so the parade committee awards three trophies in the category of Children’s Groups. the first place in the “Children Awards” was awarded to the Off Broadway Dance Studio. their dance routine and their beautiful float was second to none.

Second place went to the Fulton Pop Warner. the Pop Warner boys and girls hada beautiful patriot float, in keeping with the theme, and a talented exhibition by their cheerleading members.

Third place went to the Fulton City School District Junior and High School “marching”band. even though the band is not a marching band, their music and marching ability each Memorial Day is to be complemented.

Three trophies are given by the “Fulton Veteran’s Council” for which veteran’s groupsand active military are eligible. Winning first place in the Veteran’s group was the 10 th Mountain Division Marching Band from Fort Drum. Winning second place was the Marine Corps Color Guard and Ladies Auxiliary with their float. Taking third place was the Fulton VFW Post 569 Float, Ladies Auxiliary Cars and VFW Junior Girl’s float.

The parade route is the same as it has been for the past 30 years. the formation of the parade is in the former Nestle’s parking lot and adjacent streets. the parade then starts north on South Fourth Street by Lyons Street to pass by the Oswego Health facility and the Michaud Nursing Home so that the patients who are able to get outside or to their window can see the parade.

The parade proceeds north to Broadway and then west to Recreation Park. the reviewing stand will be positioned at West Broadway and West third Street, in front of Brewer and Brewer’s Mobil Station.

Typically, thousands will line the parade route.

The lead band in this year’s parade will be the Fulton Music Department Band. the Fulton Memorial Day Parade tries to be a balanced community based parade. Active military service units, veterans from all services, several color guards, bagpipe bands, youth groups, fire companies, clowns, school bands, adult bands, some vehicles, lots of walkers, business and industries, scouts, street vendors, usually hundreds of balloons, and even cartoon characters will be in this year’s parade.

The Memorial Day Salute Committee feels that this parade mixture makes for a most interesting event and represents and entertains the community. a Grand Marshall leads each Memorial Day Parade. the Fulton Veterans’ Council, which is made up of all the veterans’ organizations in the greater Fulton area, chooses a “Veteran of the Year” each year. This year’s Veteran of the Year and parade Grand Marshall is Charles Callen. the Fulton Veterans’ Council provides the leading color guard for this year’s parade.

All of the bands in the parade are sponsored by area businesses and local industries. several bands, sponsored by Cayuga Community College, that have been in the parade every year are returning this year. Also, the Fulton School’s music department will have all of their bands in the parade this year as they have had since the beginning of the event. several colorful floats in each year’s parade make it an event you should not miss. Many area businesses and industries have entered a float in the parade over the years.

Sometimes an employee group or union have dreamed up the idea and built the float.

There is still time to enter a float in this year’s parade. call parade chairman, Zach Menter at 591-4502 for more information on how to enter your float or unit in the parade.

The Memorial Day Salute Parade is just one part of the Memorial Day Salute weekend. the event will open at 5 p.m. on Friday and close after the fireworks, sponsored by Community Bank N.a., which are scheduled for 10 p.m.

Food, rides, games, vendors and free entertainment are available throughout the event.

Friday’s entertainment features the G Ray Bodley High School Jazz Band, the Music of Rick Bush and the very popular and local favorite Domicolo & Barlow, sponsored byNational Grid, who will be the main entertainment at 7 p.m.

Saturday’s hours are from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.. After the parade, the parade bands will do “Stand In” on the Community Center stage. Virgil the Magician, the Music of Vince Markowsky, the Fulton Community Band and the Fulton Dixieland Band will provide steady entertainment from noon until closing at 10 p.m. with Nik & the Nice Guys, America’s no.1 Party Band, taking the stage at 7 p.m.

Fulton Savings Bank will sponsor this fun-loving pop-rock band.

All of this entertainment is free, thanks to the support of local Fulton and Oswego merchants and industries. Along with Fulton Savings Bank, Community Bank N.a., Cayuga Community College and National Grid, other Salute Sponsors are Alliance Bank, City of Fulton, Fulton CDA, Oswego Health, Pathfinder Bank, Johnston’s Propane Service, OCO Public Transportation and VFW Post 569.

For more Memorial Day Salute information, visit www.fultonmemorialdaysalute.com

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Solar Eclipse: ‘Ring of Fire’ Coming Sunday

by on May 20, 2012

Don’t look directly at it (not to sound like your elementary-school teacher), but plan on checking out a “ring of fire” partial eclipse on Sunday, may 20, if you live on the West Coast of North America.

In this weekend’s annular solar eclipse, the moon will slide in front of the sun and block 94% of its light. Because the moon is near apogee — the point in its orbit when it’s farthest away from Earth — it appears smaller to us and will cover most of the sun, leaving a ring of fiery light blasting the edges. (What, you thought it was a Johnny Cash reference?)

(PHOTOS: Total Eclipse of the Sun)

Unfortunately for folks on the East Coast, the sun will have already set by the time the eclipse begins at 5:24 p.m. PDT. Those living in the central U.S. and Canada may miss the full ring-of-fire effect but will still get a partial eclipse. Viewers in Asia will also catch a glimpse in the early-morning hours of may 21. Check out NASA’s viewing map to get an idea of when and where you can get your best view.

Because an annular solar eclipse requires Earth, the moon and the sun to be in a particular alignment, the event is rare; this is the first such eclipse since 1994.

Remember, though, that looking directly at the sun — no matter how eclipsed — is dangerous for the eyes. use solar filters, wear a pair of solar-safe viewing glasses or build a pinhole projector instead. You’ll want to be able to see the next annular eclipse when it comes in may 2013.

PHOTOS: Total Eclipse of the Moon

The Lineup: The best things to do

by on May 20, 2012

TODAY

Bavarian may Fest

What: If you’re not embarrassed to be seen in lederhosen, then this celebration of all things German is for you. On the menu will be beer, brats, sauerkraut, German potato salad and apple streudel. after dinner, you can work off the wurst by dancing to the oompah music of Europa.

When: 5-9 p.m.

Where: West Sacramento farmers market, 1271 West Capitol Ave., West Sacramento

Cost: $30 general, covers entertainment and dinner. Beverages must be purchased separately.

Contact: (916) 371-7042, www.westsacramentochamber.com

TODAY

What: Award-winning blues singer Magness came off a bad year to create a powerful new album, “Stronger for it,” in which she co-wrote three songs, “Whistling in the dark,” “I Won’t Cry” and “There it is.” the Palms audience will hear selections from “Stronger” and earlier works in what promises to be a soul-baring concert.

When: 8:30 p.m.

Where:The Palms Playhouse, 13 Main St., Winters

Cost:$20

Contact: (530) 795-1825

SATURDAY

The Prince and the Pauper

What: the Chautauqua Playhouse’s Marie Raymond puts a different spin on “The Prince and the Pauper.” This time, Count Chimp and Mouse-Breath plot to finish off the Prince.

When: Noon and 2 p.m. Saturday; continues Saturdays through may 26

Where: Chautauqua Playhouse, 5325 Engle Road, Carmichael

Cost: $7

Contact: (916) 489-7529, www.cplayhouse.org.

SATURDAY

Placer Pops Chorale Spring Concert Series: American Tapestry

What: Experience classic American music from pops to jazz. the Placer Pops Chorale and its orchestra present works from Rodgers and Hammerstein, Ellington, Gershwin, Berlin and Sondheim. the chorale will perform songs from “Oklahoma,” “The Sound of Music,” “South Pacific,” “Into the Woods” and more.

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: three Stages at Folsom Lake College 10 College Parkway, Folsom

Cost: $21-$30

Contact: Contact: (916) 608-6888 www.threestages.net.

SATURDAY

What: three California State University, California, choirs, under the direction of Donald Kendrick, will salute American poets and composers in a combined concert. the concert will include the area premiere of “Eat your Vegetables” by composer and Sac State alumnus John Muehleisen.

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Sacred Heart Church, 1040 39th St., Sacramento

Cost: Suggested donation is $10 general, $7 for seniors and $5 for students

Contact: (916) 278-5155, www.csus.edu/music/choral

THURSDAY

Roger Smith with special guests

What: Jazz in the Courtyard returns to the Crocker Art Museum with its first concert featuring jazz keyboardist Roger Smith. Smith, who is also a producer and composer, has performed with Jeff Beck, Gladys Knight, Willie Nelson and Leon Russell. the series continues every third Thursday of the month through September.

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Crocker Art Museum, 216 O St., Sacramento

Cost: $6 for members, $10 for students and youths 17 and under, $12 nonmembers.

Contact: (916) 808-7000, crockerartmuseum.org

Derby favorites who won the Preakness and Belmont Stakes

by on May 20, 2012

for those who aren’t sold on Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another adding the Preakness to his winning resume Saturday and setting up a Triple Crown try in the Belmont Stakes, we present the Bodemeister scenario: beaten Derby favorite returns to avenge his defeat by not only winning the Preakness, but going on to take the Belmont.

there have been 18 Preakness-Belmont winners, but seven did not run in the Derby, including Man o’ War in 1920. Here’s a look at a handful of disappointing Derby favorites who came through in the next two legs of the Triple Crown.

POINT GIVEN (2001)

in Bob Baffert’s mind, Point given was a cinch to give the trainer his third Derby win in five years. But the huge colt bumped with Monarchos early on, was eventually taken to the outside, had nothing left in the stretch and finished fifth as the 9-5 favorite. Monarchos won by 4 3/4 lengths. Point given was the slight favorite in the Preakness and won by 2 1/4 lengths, with Monarchos finishing sixth. in the Belmont, the colt pulled away in the stretch and won by 12 1/4 lengths. “A man racing against boys,” Baffert has said.

HANSEL (1991)

Hansel went off as the 5-2 Derby favorite, but Strike the Gold rallied from way back and passed almost every horse in the field to win by 1 3/4 lengths. Hansel, who ducked in and brushed another horse in the stretch and finished 10th, made amends by edging Strike the Gold by a head in the Preakness, then won the Belmont by seven lengths over Corporate Report, the horse Hansel brushed in the Derby.

DAMASCUS (1967)

A strong 8-5 favorite, Damascus (with Bill Shoemaker aboard) was poised to pounce on the far turn, but had nothing left in the stretch as 30-1 long shot Proud Clarion pulled the upset and Damascus wound up third, four lengths back. in the Preakness, Damascus circled the field with a rush, took the lead at the quarter pole and won by 2 1/4 lengths (Proud Clarion was third). he won the Belmont three weeks later.

NASHUA (1955)

with Eddie Arcaro aboard, Nashua was the 6-5 Derby favorite, but Swaps (ridden by Bill Shoemaker) drew clear in the final sixteenth-of-a-mile to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Swaps did not run in the Preakness, and Nashua won it as well as the Belmont.

NATIVE DANCER (1953)

sent off as the 7-10 favorite in the Derby, Native Dancer was roughed up in the first turn by Money Broker, eased back in the pack, raced wide, was bumped again in the stretch and still closed with but lost by a nose to 24-1 long shot dark Star. Native Dancer came back and won the Withers, and then took the Preakness by a neck and the Belmont by the same margin.

Derby favorites who won the Preakness and Belmont Stakes

Preakness 2012: Optimizer and Cozzetti Will Shock Fans at Pimlico

by on May 20, 2012

Last year, 12-1 Shackleford stunned the horse racing world when the colt won the 136th Preakness by a half a length over Kentucky Derby champion Animal Kingdom.

According to Tom Valledolmo of NewJerseyNewsRoom.com, Shackleford’s was the first Preakness winner that paid double figures since Bernardini in 2006 ($27.80). in fact, all other winners dating back to 2001 paid out less than $8.81.

In essence, the Preakness recently hasn’t produced many surprises.

However, we cannot forget about Shackleford’s triumph in 2011.

Although they’re not currently in the limelight, let’s take a look at horses with similar odds this year, colts that have what it takes to shock fans at Pimlico once again.

Cozzetti

Brisnet.com recently posted an article about this colt’s readiness for Saturday’s Preakness. the 20/1 Cozzetti ran “fractions of :11 3/5, :23 1/5, :34 4/5, :46 4/5 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:12 2/5 and seven-eighths in 1:27 2/5. the move was the best of 10 at the distance.”

“It was a good five-eighths work,” said trainer Dale Romans, who won the Preakness with Shackleford last year.”

Because of Roman’s past success at Pimlico, Cozzetti can’t be ruled out of this year’s race.

Brisnet.com also notes Cozzetti’s most recent race ended with a fourth-place finish to heavy favorite Bodemeister at the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby.

His jockey Jose Lezcano won the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico last year.

Optimizer

According to the Washington Post, Optimizer’s trainer D. Wayne Lukas has trained five Preakness winners in the past.

After a disappointing 11th-place finish at the Kentucky Derby at 42-1 odds, Lukas expects a much better showing from his horse this time around.

From the same Bisnet.com article, Lukas commented about his horse’s most recent training session that resulted in a :49 4/5 half-time on a sloppy track at Churchill Downs.

Optimizer clocked fractions of :13 1/5, :25 3/5 and :37 3/5.

“”Every 10 years, they get it right. that was perfect,” trainer D. Wayne Lukas said of the move that was the 14th fastest of 25 at the distance.”

Optimizer had 12-1 odds at the beginning of the week, but is currently listed at 30-1.

Follow @ChrisTrapasso

Preakness 2012: Optimizer and Cozzetti Will Shock Fans at Pimlico

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