I am not a War Emblem fan, nor did I bet him in the Derby, but I think you're not giving this horse near-enough credit. Isn't there a possibility that he's simply becoming a very nice horse? Sunday Silence WAS considered a very nice horse well-before winning the Derby. I believe most people thought he was the only serious threat to Easy Goer that year, and vice versa.

I also don't think War Emblem will have a cushy lead on a slow pace in the Preakness, but as long as Victor Espinoza doesn't get him involved in a suicide speed-duel he can probably be right there again, if not win. I agree with Mark...he proved that he can pass horses in past races, but apparently just has enough natural speed to make the lead if he wants.

Remember this.....War Emblem was seemingly almost caught turning for home in the Derby by the "closer" Perfect Drift who I, for one, thought was going to power by in the stretch. Now PD did have some traffic trouble trying to squeeze inside of WE, but make no mistake that WE easily outkicked everyone down the lane including the others who benefitted from the slow pace (Proud Citizen, Perfect Drift, Came Home, etc.) and probably was only outfinished by Medaglia D'Oro (who was too far back to contend).