Brief Look at the Preakness

[DrewRyan]

I'll admit that I didn't get the time to put into this race like most of you did, but here's what I've come down to about each of these horses...

1: Astrology - Terrible speed ratings, but great breeding. Decent showings in the G2/3 races and always a favorite... but rarely a winner.

2: Norman Asbjornson - Not thrilled with the run at the Wood or at the Gotham and there are some awful numbers in here. Shouldn't be in this race.

3: King Congie - Horse is getting better with each race and could be a threat, but there are too man other closers in this race.

4: Flashpoint - Potentially a speedy little horse, but this sucker got BURNED by Dialed In and Shackleford at the Florida Derby. Don't like horses with just three races until their belts as well.

5: Shackleford - The horse that scared the crap out of me that I didn't bet on at the Derby. Loved the run, and love the fact that this horse probably has the best out of the blocks speed of any horse to his inside. Should find the rail and finish in the money because of it.

6: Sway Away - Decent speed ratings at short distances, but not great results in fast races. Going to need to be a big closer to win.

7: Midnight Interlude - There has to be a reason that Bob Baffert bothered to bring this horse here to the Preakness, right? The hope is that the jockey change is good for this horse.

8: Dance City - Only one graded race in his career at the Arkansas Derby. If Dance City doesn't get all the way to the rail in the first two furlongs, he's dead.

9: Mucho Macho Man - Was impressed with the run at the Derby. Tons of speed ratings in the 90s and high 80s. Distance shouldn't be a problem. Might be the female trainer's day on Saturday.

10: Dialed In - Was the favorite at the Derby for a reason. Great overlay price here on this horse. Nick Zito knows he has a winner.

11: Animal Kingdom - Thought this horse was a joke at the Derby. Still think that this horse is a joke at the Preakness.

12: Isn't He Perfect - No he isn't. WTF this horse is doing in this race is beyond me.

13: Concealed Identity - Only two races with speed ratings even in the 80s... But how can you not like Smarty Jones as the daddy for this horse?

14: Mr. Commons - Love the run at the Santa Anita, but don't love the fact that Mike Smith isn't going to be aboard this colt. Probably not a good sign.

In conclusion... As long as Animal Kingdom stays off the board, I'll probably be in good shape. I really don't see any of the non-Derby runners winning this race, so I'll stick with the same general guns that I used in the Derby for this one.

Preakness Picks - $2 Tri-Box 5-7-9-10, $10 WPS #5, $20 WPS #10

[DrewRyan]

Not a bad day when it was said and done for me with Shackleford proving victorious. Pretty much the type of race that I expected. Didn't think he was gonna hang on in the end.

[Louie]

Not a bad day when it was said and done for me with Shackleford proving victorious. Pretty much the type of race that I expected. Didn't think he was gonna hang on in the end.

Shackleford ran one of the best triple crown races I have ever seen for a 15-1 or more horse. I was very impressed with the race that he ran.

[Louie]

By the way, very nice insight on this race drew...

And very nice call on the WPS bet on Shackleford

[bpd67]

Nice call Drew. I hate triple crown races.