Preakness 141

Wet weather in Maryland will bring us the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

Pimlico Race 13 {PREAKNESS Stakes~G1~1 1/16 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A solid field of eleven will go to the gate in this Triple Crown race. Of course there is plentiful speed to keep a hotly contested pace. Three return from KD 142. The balance of the field are new shooters. Speed figures are fairly close with Nyquist, Exaggerator, and Stradavari all holding triple digits. It should be an exciting race as they all target the Kentucky Derby champ, Nyquist.

#5 Exaggerator (Desormeaux / Desormeaux) might turn the tables on the KD 142 winner as he relishes the muck more than other competitor in the field. He holds the second highest last out speed number and two power works. He is sure to come from the clouds attempting to run down the leaders in the stretch. A son of Curlin, he is one of three millionaires in the race.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  #3 SHOW.

#3 Nyquist (Gutierrez / O'Neill) is the horse to beat. He has run to perfection in his eight career starts. No worries about the off track as he as won in his only start over such. This guy holds the highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and two stamina producing workouts. This son of Uncle Mo should be guided just off the pace of some very speedy types.

$1 PLACE.

#11 Stradavari (J. Velazquez / Pletcher) is a talented new shooter making his fourth career start. Early odds indicate he is a fan favorite. He holds the third highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and three superb peaking workouts. This son of Medaglia d' Oro will sit just of the pace ready to strike.

$1 SHOW.

#6 Lani (Take / Matsunaga) is the third starter coming in from the Kentucky Derby. He appears to be getting acclimated to North America having completing his final preparatory workout up at Belmont. Curious!? This lad finished ninth in KD 142 cruising past tiring horses. A son of Tapit, he should get the proper pace to run into.

$1 SHOW.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

Yes, Pimlico requires a minimum dollar value on its 10 CENT Superfecta.

#5 Exaggerator  +  #3 Nyquist  +  #11 Stradavari  +  #6 Lani.

Friday's Results

Pimlico R11.  BLACK-EYED SUSAN--G1.  Our first pick, She's a Warrior, finished 6th.  Our second pick, Kinsley Kisses, finished 3rd for show money of $2.30. 

Superfecta went 5-4-10-2.

Bankroll tumbles to $18.86.

A Little Black Eye Friday

Out of the gate late we start our horse racing weekend on the eve of the second leg of the Triple Crown, we take in the big race for the ladies, the Black-Eyed Susan.

Pimlico Race 11 {Black-Eyed Susan~1 1/8 mile~3 year-old~Fillies~Graded Stakes}

A very talented field of twelve will go to the gate in this annual graded stakes race for the gals.  There is enough speed in this one to produce a speedy pace. Speed numbers vary widely which should make for an interesting race as many hope to improve. This race will be a highly watched and wagered event.

#6 She's a Warrior (Stevens / Eurton) could have an edge as she stretches out to this distance. She holds the third highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and four strong peaking workouts. This gal is 100% in the money from six starts. Her patience sitting right off the pace could aid her effort.

$1 WIN  /  $2 SHOW.

#10 Kinsley Kisses (J. Velazquez / Pletcher) will be going from a sprint to this distance, but appears well prepped to do so. She holds the fourth highest (tie) last out speed number, a two race progression, and two sharp workouts. This gal should be motoring on the front end seeking to wire this field.

$1 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#5 Go Maggie Go (L. Saez / Romans) will challenge with the second highest last out speed number in a grade one event, a three race progression, and two superb workouts. This gal should be tracking the pace and will benefit greatly if it heats up. She has already competed at this distance.

#3 Land Over Sea (Gutierrez / O'Neill) could go off as the favorite with the highest last out speed number competing at this very distance. This gal has improved her speed fig with every start in her nine race career. A couple of hearty workouts helps her cause. A heated pace could make her the one to beat.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

Today we will box our superfecta investment as Pimlico requires a total minimum of one dollar for its 10 CENT Superfecta wager.

#6 She's a Warriot  +  #10 Kinsley Kisses  +  #5 Go Maggie Go  +  #3 Land Over Sea.

Last Superfecta Sunday (5/15) Results

Churchill Downs R7.  Allowance Optional Claiming.  We captured only two of the four wagering interests needed to cash our 10 CENT Superfecta box ticket. Superfecta went 9-1-8-5.

Our Bronze Horseshoe runner, Generous Kitten, won (1st) for show money of $4.20.

Bankroll loses a couple of dimes to settle at $22.96

Preakness 137

A fantastic day of Saturday stakes races unfolds with the 2012 Preakness being the centerpiece of a fine day of horse racing.  We will take a look at that fabulous race and a nice Turf stakes race, both at bountiful Pimlico.

Pimlico Race 3 {Gallorette Handicap~G3~1 1/16 mile~TURF~3 year old Up~fillies/mares~Stakes}
A group of seven Turf veterans go to the Pimilico grass.  It appears to be a contest between the forwardly placed and those tracking the pace.  It should be a dandy.

#3 Zagora [FR] (Castellano / C. Brown) appears to be the likely favorite with the third highest last out speed number and three quality workouts.  She holds the highest overall speed number over the green and is unquestionably the best in class.  This French bred should track and pounce.
$2 SHOW.

#5 Smart Sting (J. Velazquez / Attfield) will challenge with the second highest last out speed number at a longer turf distance, a two race progression, and three robust workouts.  This consistent gal will be coming fast from off the pace.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#7 Laughing [IRE] (Dominguez / Goldberg) should be in contention with the highest last out speed number after a layoff, she is working a two race progression, and has raced well overseas.  She could surprise with a nice tracking run.

#1 Camelia Rose [FR] (Gutierrez / Callaghan) looks ready to make a first strike off the turn with a couple of decent last out speed numbers.  She is coming off a longer Turf route with one superb workout.  Expect her to be near the front.

10 CENT Superfecta

#3 Zagora [FR] / #5 Smart Sting / #7 Laughing [IRE] / #1 Camelia Rose [FR].


Pimlico Race 12--PREAKNESS 137 {1 3/16 mile~3 year old~G1 Stakes}
A significantly smaller field than that of KD138.  Eleven wonderfully bred horse will pony up to the gate for the second race in the Triple Crown.  There will be five runners coming out of the Kentucky Derby and another six new shooters.  Unlike the Derby, this race will have a minimum in speed.  Consequently, the lone speedster, Bodemeister, could wire the field.

#7 Bodemeister (Smith / Baffert) is quite capable of wiring the field with his blistering speed.  Left unchallenged while running a steady, swift pace, he could blast from the gate and be gone.  This young colt has the highest speed number over a dirt surface, the second highest last out speed number, and two prodigious workouts.  Clearly he will be the one to beat.
$2 WIN.

#9 I'll Have Another (Gutierrez / O'Neill) will challenge the speedster with a nice pressing attack.  The Kentucky Derby 138 winner holds the highest last out speed number, has a two race progression, and has put in an efficient workout in the last 30 days.  Should the front runner falter, this son of Flower Alley could capture the second leg of the Triple Crown.
$2 SHOW.

#5 Went the Day Well (J. Velazquez / Motion) looks ready to run a big race with the third highest (tie) last out speed number, finishing fourth in KD138, working a three race progression, and putting in two hearty workouts.  Should the pace heat up, this colt could benefit greatly.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#6 Creative Cause (Rosario / Harrington) is another sitting on a huge race sharing the third highest last out speed number, holding a two race progression, and putting in two stout, peaking workouts.  With a fast pace, this guy could run up to his capability.

#2 Teeth of the Dog (Bravo / Matz) could be the big surprise with the fourth highest last out speed number, a four race progression, and four superb, peaking workouts.  This "new shooter" could sit right off the two front runners ready to pose a first strike in the stretch.  He will be stretching out another 110 years from his last out effort.

10 CENT Superfecta

#7 Bodemeister / #9 I'll Have Another / #5 Went the Day Well / #6 Creative Cause, #2 Teeth of the Dog.



Friday's Results
Pimlico R10.  Black-Eyed Susan--G2.  Our first pick, Wildcat's Smile, finished 3rd for show money of $8.60.  Our second pick, Welcome Guest, finished 6th.  Our third pick, Mamma Kimbo, finished 4th.
Superfecta went 7-2-8-4.
Bankroll gains a smile to $14.82.