Preakness Long Shots

Platinum Couple: A happy long shot

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Glenn Lostritto can't argue with the odds. His horse, Platinum Couple, is a 50-1 long shot in the Preakness -- and justifiably so.

The New York-bred horse hasn't won in four tries in 2006 and has only two victories in nine career races.

"We knew we were a long shot coming in. We're happy to be here," said Lostritto, part-owner of the horse with the longest odds in the field.

Asked whether he was insulted by the lack of respect his colt received from Pimlico oddsmaker Frank Carulli, Lostritto replied, "Not one bit. We've got nowhere to go but up. We just hope to stick it out and hopefully get a piece of it."

Lostritto said Platinum Couple likes to rally, so the early speed that is expected from the contenders could be beneficial.

"Speed does work to our advantage. He's a come-from-behinder," Lostritto said.

No matter how the races goes, Lostritto will never forget the thrill of being at the Preakness with his father, who serves as trainer for Platinum Couple.

"It's a family operation," he said, "and when my dad saddles that horse Saturday, it will be one of the happiest days of my life."

DOWN ON THE FARM:@ Michael Matz extended an invitation to Dan Hendricks to visit his private barn at the Fair Hill Training Center.

Matz is the trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, the even-money favorite in the Preakness. He offered a tour of the bucolic equine center, which is about an hour away from Pimlico in Elkton, Md.

Besides Barbaro, Matz has 50 horses stabled there.

Hendricks trains Brother Derek, who tied for fourth in the Derby and is the 3-1 second choice in the Preakness. He is both curious and apprehensive about visiting the farm.

"I'm just not sure I want to see that nice a training facility and then have to go home to Santa Anita," Hendricks said.

Matz and Hendricks met for the first time since the Derby on Wednesday night at the Preakness post position draw.

"I haven't really been able to meet him and talk to him enough," Hendricks said. "The other night was the first time I got to congratulate him because he was so busy after the Derby.

If the wheelchair-bound Hendricks accepts the invitation, the visit will probably occur before the Preakness.

"We might not want to talk to each other after the race," Hendricks said.

UNITING FOR A GOOD CAUSE:@ Jockeys and racetracks are often at odds over issues such as insurance coverage and safety issues.

Both sides joined forces Thursday for a press conference at Pimlico to the launch the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund.

The fund aims to raise $1 million this year to assist 60 former riders, including Ron Turcotte, who won the Triple Crown in 1973 aboard Secretariat and was permanently disabled in a racing spill in 1978.

Major racetrack operators including Magna Entertainment Corp., Churchill Downs Inc. and the New York Racing Association have donated $250,000. Fans can participate starting Preakness weekend by purchasing caps and wristbands at racetracks around the country.

The money will cover health care and living expenses for the disabled riders from thoroughbred and quarterhorse racing.

"You read the biographies of these people and their stories are inspirational," said Don Amos, chief operation officer of Magna. "We have to get behind this as an industry."

John Velazquez, a two-time Eclipse Award winner as a champion jockey, spoke on behalf of the riders.

"This really encourages everybody to come to the same table and talk about a cause that affects a lot of riders," said Velazquez, chairman of the Jockeys' Guild.

Velazquez, recovering from a broken shoulder and cracked ribs in a spill at Keeneland on April 20, said he is making steady progress.

He didn't have a return date but said, "Hopefully, I'll be ready pretty soon."

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