1/ST Preakness Wager Guide | free access, daily updates
We are almost to the second leg of the Triple Crown!
Preakness 150 is nearly upon us with the racing in Baltimore kicking off at 10:30 AM eastern on Saturday. The 14-race card includes a plethora of undercard stakes races and makes up the second day of 1/ST BET and Xpressbet’s $20,000 Exacta-Thon promotion. As I mentioned yesterday in my Black-Eyed Susan Exacta-Thon blog, I am back to talk about a couple plays I am interested in on the Preakness Day card.
If you missed yesterday’s discussion, the goal of the promo is to connect on six $2 exactas over the course of either the Friday or the Saturday Pimlico cards. Those who connect on six each day will split $8,000. An additional $2,000 will go to the customer(s) who hits the most $2 exactas each day.
Race 8: Chick Lang
The pace should be honest in this 6-furlong dash for 3YOs over the main track. 7-2-morning line favorite #8 One Nine Hundred is likely to be one of those in the early mix. The pricey son of Dialed In won for fun at odds-on last out and did so posting a big number on all metrics. If he continues to move forward, he will be a tough customer, but is likely to have to earn it far more than he did at Aqueduct in late March. He may be too fast, but I will try to beat him and some of the other speeds.
#9 Perfect Force is one of two I will key around. The Gun Runner colt returns quickly after breaking slowly and having no real shot over the off track in a Pat Day Mile (G2) dominated by those who were involved early. Both of the D. Wayne Lukas trainee’s wins have come at the 6-furlong distance and with a better break, he should find a comfortable off the pace spot under jockey Nik Juarez. Perfect Force should relish the cutback, especially if they go at it early.
#3 Ancient World is the horse that could be making the last move. The Repole Stable gelding has shown no speed in either of his first two starts for trainer Joe Sharp, but has found a way to win both going away. He needs to avoid leaving himself with too much to do late, but do not be surprised if he is absolutely flying late under Jose Ortiz.
Plays:
Ex Box 3-9
Ex Wheel 3+9 with 3+7+9+11
Ex Wheel 3+7+9+11 with 3+9
Race 12: The Dinner Party (G3)
This 9-furlong affair over the sod was won last year by #6 Balnikhov. The 6YO gelding came from last-to-first over the soft turf to win going away. He is given a 9-2-chance of winning the race in back-to-back years, but I question whether he will get enough pace to run at to be at his best. 5-2-favorite #13 Trikari does not need to be that far out of it, but draws to the far outside in this 13-horse field for Graham Motion. Johnny V is going to have his work cut out for him to win aboard this colt who gets some class relief after running third to Carl Spackler off the bench in the Makers’ Mark Mile (G1) last month.
Given the lack of early speed signed on, I am going to take a big swing with #5 Abrumar. The son of Divisdero’s only start since last summer was a third-place effort in the Appleton at Gulfstream Park in late March where he stalked just off the early pace going one-mile. I see no reason why Saffie Joseph Jr. will not instruct Jose Ortiz to send this colt aggressively with his other runner #7 Cash Equity being more of an off the pace type. If he makes an uncontested lead, he is more than capable of springing the upset.
I will use Abrumar with a few, including #4 Neat. The Constitution colt had an absolutely horrific trip and still only lost by two lengths last out in the Henry Clark at Laurel. He has won 6 of 13 and gets a rider switch to Joel Rosario. #8 Crystal Quest enters this spot in the best form of his career for trainer Michael Trombetta. He gets Paco Lopez after besting Florida-breds in Tampa to kick off his 2025 campaign. Finally, #10 Fort Washington is amongst those likely to be up against from the probable race shape, but has run some real big races already this year and should offer decent value. His jockey Junior Alvarado is coming in hot after his Derby victory aboard Sovereignty. He will need to work out a trip, much like Trikari to have any shot.
Plays:
Exacta Key Box 5 with 4+8+10
.svg){kind=logo}
