Chase the Chaos is currently one of the longest shots on the board at odds of 33-1. His last two efforts in graded stakes competition were dull at best, as he finished seventh in the Grade 2 San Felipe and eighth in the California Derby. 

 

So why am I writing about Chase the Chaos? Because that is exactly what  this Triple Crown season feels like to me…in more ways than one. Seven horse deaths opening week at Churchill Downs. Trainer Saffie Joseph had two of the five and was expelled from the grounds. Five horses scratched from the Derby, including the favorite, Forte,  on Derby morning. Forte’s trainer, Todd Pletcher, just suspended for ten days for a positive test on Forte in the G1 Hopeful at Saratoga last summer. 

 

In addition to the horse-related chaos, we had fashion chaos.  I have been designing hats and FOOscinators under the brand name Madam Foo Foo Couture since 2009. In that time I have seen the “bigger and more gaudy the better” trend come to what I can only hope and pray is its apex. This year, I saw more women with what looked like the spontaneous combustion of a multi-colored bird on their heads than ever before. I just cannot design that. I will not do it. I noticed several other designers steered clear of it as well. Madam Foo Foo Couture had another record-breaking year…but we did NOT Chase the Chaos. 

 

Today we learned that Kentucky Derby 149 winner Mage is confirmed for the Preakness next weekend. He looked great galloping on the track here yesterday. In addition to the aforementioned  Chase the Chaos, he will face a couple of rivals from Derby, such as Disarm and Confidence Game, along with some fresh faces.  Bob Baffert likely joins the mix with National Treasure. He is an ever-calming presence, right? (Insert sarcastic laughter here). Blazing Sevens for Chad Brown qualified for the Kentucky Derby but was withdrawn in favor of this race. That was probably a wise decision.  And Red Route One, who was on the Kentucky Derby trail but did not make the field is also a likely starter. 

 

Without Forte or Two Phil’s in the race, First Mission for Brad Cox is second favorite at 3-1 behind Mage at 2-1. If the little engine that could (aka Mage) can bounce back from the grueling mile and a quarter last week, it is his race to lose. However, he is a very small, light-boned horse with only four career races, and that makes him a bit vulnerable. 

 

Personally, I would like to see an uneventful Preakness. No drama. No chaos. Just a safe and fair trip for all…and a few less haphazard feathered failures on heads in the crowd!!!