Analysis: Watching these 3-year-olds prep all season toward the delayed Triple Crown, the horse I really wanted to bet finally will get his chance to run in Saturday’s Preakness. ART COLLECTOR has had my attention for months, and he’ll have the attention of the Kentucky Derby winner AUTHENTIC when those two lock up at Pimlico. The two favorites appear trustworthy in the series finale, but horseplayers looking for value will be digging for a longshot to include in the exotics.
Main Contenders: AUTHENTIC is the favorite and Bob Baffert merits respect in the Preakness. But Baffert’s past success (a record 7 wins in this race) only should help the price on ART COLLECTOR, who is a fair 5-2 in the morning line. ART COLLECTOR should get a great trip. He’s tactical; if it goes really quick, he can sit. If for some reason AUTHENTIC doesn’t show his customary speed, he can be right there from the break. Expect ART COLLECTOR to be sitting just behind AUTHENTIC, and perhaps NY TRAFFIC and SWISS SKYDIVER, with a chance to pounce. ART COLLECTOR has been lights out since going around 2 turns and really has found his stride. I’m not worried about his minor foot issue that kept him out of the Kentucky Derby.
Value Plays: LIVEYOURBEASTLIFE will be my price player. The runner-up in the Jim Dandy should get the distance and won’t have to close from out of the clouds like some of the other longshot considerations. You can catch my last-minute analysis on the NBC telecast (4:30-6 pm ET), but honestly, I don’t really like anyone else in the race. It’s these 3 for me. MAX PLAYER could clunk up for the bottom of the superfecta.
$100 Betting Strategy
- $40 Win: ART COLLECTOR ($40)
- $16 Exacta: ART COLLECTOR over AUTHENTIC ($16)
- $8 Exacta: ART COLLECTOR over LIVEYOURBEASTLIFE ($8)
- $1 Trifecta Part-Wheel: ART COLLECTOR over AUTHENTIC, LIVEYOURBEASTLIFE over ALL ($18)
- $1 Trifecta Part-Wheel: ART COLLECTOR over ALL over AUTHENTIC, LIVEYOURBEASTLIFE ($18)
Eddie's Picks
- ART COLLECTOR
- AUTHENTIC
- LIVEYOURBEASTLIFE
- MAX PLAYER
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