Preemptive Strike and Snowball Flannagan carry the high weight of 146 pounds, while the rest of the field will bear only four pounds less.Preemptive Strike began his 2005 campaign with a third behind Sur La Tete and Hirapour in the Carolina Cup (NSA-III).
The $75,000 Georgia Cup (NSA-II) promises to be an uphill battle Saturday. The two-mile stakes is one of the shorter events on the National Steeplechase Association schedule, but the stretch is a rising slope that will provide a steeper test than the distance itself. Preemptive Strike, fifth on the 2004 money list, is ready to rise to the challenge. Preemptive Strike figures to be the favorite in a race that includes graded stakes performers Barzulu and Snowball Flannagan as well as talented jumpers Understood, Raise A Storm, Najjm and Man O'Mystery.Polaris Stable's Preemptive Strike brought home $130,688 last year. The 7-year-old was second in the top-tier Royal Chase (NSA-I) and Colonial Cup, and took three stakes in 2004. Since none of his wins came in NSA grade I events he avoids any serious weight penalty under the race's allowance conditions.
