It's hard not to root for Papa Clem, Gary Stute

Gary Stute, 52-year-old trainer of Papa Clem, who finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago, said earlier this week he'd like to win today's Preakness Stakes for his dad, 81-year-old Mel Stute. Mel won the 1986 Preakness with Snow Chief after a disappointing 11th-place finish as the Derby favorite. Gary was there, and he remembers both races well. Of course, he has far more fond memories of the Preakness than the Derby.

"When I came out on the track (for the Derby) and they played 'My Old Kentucky Home,' that was pretty good," he said. "Snow Chief, to be honest, all I kind of have is bad memories. I got a lot of good ones about the Preakness, but the Derby I've kind of tried to erase from my mind a little. To this day, I've never had an excuse. I know a lot of people tried to talk my dad into thinking that Alex Solis laid too close to a hot pace, but I just think for whatever reason he didn't fire that day, to be honest."

Snow Chief sure fired on Preakness day, though, when he beat Derby winner Ferdinand to the wire. Stute is hoping Papa Clem can do the same today, and he's got a good shot to do just that. Take away Mine That Bird, one of the most unlikely of Derby winners, and Papa Clem was right there with the rest of the Derby field, narrowly missing second behind Pioneerof the Nile and Musket Man.

The Stutes are such class people, it's tough not to root for Papa Clem today. He's a must use in the exotics for sure, and it's not a stretch at all to picture Gary Stute in the winner's circle with that trademark cigar.