Note: There is up to a 60% Chance of Rain in the Baltimore Area on Friday
(Selections are made for a fast track)
The Big Race on Friday – The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes!
Pim R11 (post 4:50 PM) The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (Grade 2), 9 furlongs.
BetPTC.com Selections:
1st – #1 Shimmering Aspen (9/2) 2nd – #2 Tapa Tapa Tapa (8/1) 3rd – #7 Moana (4/1)
11 horses are entered in this race, and I don’t have a strong opinion in this race, but I think one filly has the most talent – SHIMMERING ASPEN. From her last race she has the best fast track BRIS Class number in the field and she won her last two starts easily in allowance company. She appears to be on the improve and this time of year I want to back horses that are showing signs of getting better. Her trainer runs 20% with these sorts of animals so the 9/2 ML hints there may be some value at post time. TAPA TAPA TAPA has run two nice races with blinkers, and if she can relax early she may get a dream trip following Shimmering Aspen from the inside. MOANA only has a maiden win, but her BRISnet pace numbers are very competitive and she merits consideration for any trifecta plays.
There Actually Is a Miss Preakness!
Pim R9 (post 3:44 PM) The Miss Preakness Stakes (Grade 3), 6 furlongs.
BetPTC.com Selections:
1st – #5 Our Majesty (7/2) 2nd – #6 Vertical Oak (10/1)
3rd – #12 Pretty City Dancer (6/1) 4th – #2 My Miss Chief (15/1)
I love sprinters with a high win percentage. OUR MAJESTY is 3 for 3 with very good speed figures. Vertical Oak lost to the top pick at Oaklawn, then came back with a dominant win in the slop at odds-on at Prairie. Don’t laugh, not many quality route horses reside there but the sprinting ranks at Prairie Meadows tend to be very competitive. PRETTY CITY DANCER was essentially a no-show on Kentucky Oaks Day in the Eight Belles, but gets a fast 14 day turnaround and is the only legitimate closer in the field. Gets her chance to make amends. MY MISS CHIFF was huge at the Fair Grounds, winning her first two starts, then failed against tougher going 7 furlongs. I think she fits better with this crew, especially at the 6 furlong distance of the Miss Preakness.
Movie Trivia – What Was The Name of the Race Between Seabiscuit and War Admiral?
Pim R7 (post 2:39 PM) The Pimlico Special (Grade 3), 9.5 furlongs.
BetPTC.com Selections:
1st – #6 Shaman Ghost (4/5) 2nd – Watershed (6/1)
3rd – #9 Conquest Windycity (15/1) 4th – #1 Dolphus (8/1)
SHAMAN GHOST didn’t look very sharp winning the Santa Anita Handicap in Arrogate’s absence, but he did win, and he has two bullet works since that race, so I will put him on top at a very short price. WATERSHED got a dream run behind horses at Keeneland then attacked in the lane for an easy victory. He has a sharp 4 furlongs coming into this, so I assume it is “all systems go.” CONQUEST WINDYCITY appears to be a better horse with the blinkers off for the white hot Brendan Walsh barn. I think this horse is very dangerous here to hit the trifecta, if not win. DOLPHUS is most famous for being a half-brother of Rachel Alexandra, but his last two races have been very good since the switch into Jimmy Jerkens’ barn.
The Allaire DuPont Distaff Kicks Off The Preakness Weekend Stakes Action!
Pim R5 (post 1:34 PM) The Allaire DuPont Distaff (Grade 3), 9 furlongs.
BetPTC.com Selections:
1st – #3 Mo’ Green (4/1) 2nd – Terra Promessa (6/5) 3rd – #5 Winter (15/1)
MO’ GREEN has hit the exacta in 7 of 11 career starts and continues to produce good speed figures. If she’s 4/1 at post time I would think that would be good value. TERRA PROMESSA is tough at Oaklawn, and she figures to get the lead here, but since she is considered such a heavy favorite she may get early pressure on the lead. WINTER was dreadful at Aqueduct but she’s back in Maryland now and that might help her perform at a higher level.