Pimlico Race Track
RACE 13 – 7:01 PM
Preakness S. (Grade I)
Purse - $2,000,000
Distance - One And 3/16ths Mile
Surface – Dirt
1 – Goal Oriented
2 – Journalism
3 –American Promise
4 – Heart of Honor
5 – Pay Billy
6 – River Thames
7 – Sandman
8 – Clever Again
9 - Gosger
Without the Kentucky Derby Winner Sovereignty in this race – I think most of
America would consider this The “Pointless” Stakes….and I wouldn’t blame them
at all!
I’ve written and erased about five paragraphs attempting
to say
the following – Horse Racing simply needs to do a better job of engaging the
American Public and possible fans – I believe the casual fan only has two
questions at this time – Will there be a successful Triple Crown this year OR
when will the Kentucky Derby Champion run again?
Your disappointing answers:
1st There will be no Triple Crown attempt this
year
2nd We don’t know when Sovereignty will run again.
With that…..let’s take a look at the field.
#1 Goal Oriented - The 6-1 horse has Flavien Prat aboard and
has two victories in two lifetime outings. This will be his first attempt
against serious talent – and he’s never raced further than 1 mile 1/16th
– if this horse has the room he may attempt to set the pace and go wire to
wire.
#2 Journalism – the runner-up in the
Kentucky Derby (who was the favorite to win in that race) is the heavy favorite
at 8/5 odds. This horse had 4 straight wins coming into the Kentucky Derby and
is certainly the horse with the best resume in the field –unless this horse is
absolutely gassed from running two weeks ago – this is his race to lose.
#3 American Promise
– Finished a VERY disappointing 16th in the Kentucky Derby – however
this horse has 10 lifetime races and I think his 15-1 odds are interesting. Nik
Juarez will be aboard again having been his rider in his last two races.
#4 Heart of Honor
– travels from the UAE to take a shot at an American Graded Stakes race. This
horse has 2 wins and 4 places in his lifetime 6 races and he’s seen some
serious talent. I’m not a fan of overseas horses in their first race in the US
– however the talent and size of the field is certainly lesser here than in the
Kentucky Derby. Going off at 12-1 is very intriguing.
#5 Pay Billy –
Going off at 20-1 this horse has 4 wins in 8 lifetime races – however this will
be a jump in class for him --- but with rider Raul Mena this horse has 1 place
and 4 wins in 5 attempts. I like that ownership is rolling the dice in this
one!
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After writing about Sandman I'll have the Spiderman theme in my head all day! |
#7 Sandman – finished a very disappointing 7th in the Kentucky Derby – I’ll be the first one to tell you I have sour grapes about this horse because I went between he and Sovereignty to finish out my Kentucky Derby bets….and I went with Sandman --- a case of don’t hate the player hate the game. This horse won the Arkansas Derby and couldn’t make the late run in the mud at Churchhill Downs.
I would also favor this horse over River of Thames.
#8 Clever Again – In three lifetime races this horse has 2 Wins and 1 Place – and both wins were with Jose Ortiz aboard. He’s going off at 5-1 – I think the odds are too low for a horse that hasn’t really beaten anyone in three races – what’s interesting to me is compare him to the horse on his right:
#9 Gosger – a 20-1 horse with 2 Wins and 1 Place who recently won the Lexington Stakes (G3) – granted he DID win that race with Jose Ortiz aboard and will have Luis Saez on board for the first time – I appreciate that a different rider can make a difference – but I’m not sure Clever Again should be considered “That” much of a favorite over this horse.
I believe #1 Goal
Oriented and #8 Clever Again will
set the early pace – from what I’ve seen out of Goal Oriented he will do very
well taking the rail and he’s also a very patient horse.
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Strangely Sensitive Cheetah appreciates being both Goal Oriented and Clever Again |
Coming out of the 2nd turn I believe Clever Again may begin to fade against the rest of the pack – as the middle pack picks up steam.
Goal Oriented will come out of the 2nd turn and
have gained some ground – and I believe Journalism will overtake Goal Oriented
by a head – Sandman, Heart of Honor and River Thames will fight it out for the
show.
Closing Speed likes: Journalism, Goal Oriented, Sandman
$1 Box Trifecta – 1,2,4,7 = $24
$1 Box Exacta – 1,2,4,7 = $24
From a bettors standpoint – I think this is an excellent opportunity
to place bets on Pick 3 bets – meaning you’re betting on Races 11 / 12 / 13 or
12/13/14.
Race 11; Horses 3/6/7/8
Race 12: Horses 6/8/10/13
Race 13: Journalism #2
Race 14: Horses 2/6/8/9
A Pick 3 will cost you $16
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