Day 1 of the Preakness Weekend and seemingly a wide open card..

PIMLICO RACE COURSE

POST-SCRATCHES

NOTE: .50 TRIS, .50 P3/P4’s. P5 IS ‘JACKPOT’ STYLE..

5th: ALW/N1X, 3+, 8.5f-T (P4, P3)

Most Likely: #8 Fly’n Bayou 9-2 4th
Next Best: #12 Readyshakego 4-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #14 Beatnick 9-2 7th
Super Add: #5 Locche 8-1 10th

6th: 20th Skipat, F&M-3+, 6f (P3)

Not swallowing 7-5 Dance to Bristol whole off monster effort at Charles Town. Any previous typical effort from her here makes her just one of 4 that can win..

Best Value: #6 Strike the Moon 4-1 5th
Next Best: #5 Dance to Bristol 7-5 WON ($3.20)
Exotics Use: #2 Funnys Approval 9-2 6th

7th: OC/N2X, 3+, 8.5f-T (P3)

Yikes.. Another 14 horse field and about 7.5 of them look capable. Lock, load and pray your inclusion gets his trip..

Most Likely: #7 Livingston Street 9-2 3rd
Best Value: #4 Paris Is Art 12-1 7th
Next Best: #8 Followmyfootsteps 8-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #1 Zarroc 15-1 10th

8th: 28th Miss Preakness, 3yo-F, 6f (P5, P3)

Please be aware that this P5 is a jackpot style requiring a single unique winner..

Many here want to be up on the lead and I think you need to find a stalker type that can pick up fading pacesetters. George Weaver’s Lighthouse Bay (8-1) fits the bill nicely..

Best Value: #9 Lighthouse Bay 8-1 3rd
Next Best: #2 Tread 9-2 4th
Exotics Use: #8 I’m Mom’s Favorite 8-5 WON ($3.80)
Super Add: #10 Jewel of a Cat 12-1 7th

<$75 P4 Play:

5: 5-8-12-14
6: 2-5-6
7: 1-4-7-8
8: 2-8-9

4x3x4x3 = 144 x .50 = $72

9th: 8th Jim McKay Turf Sprint, 3+, 5f-T (P4, P3)

Night Officer a SCR having won in New York Thursday. Key to making money here is getting Super Chunky (15-1), Ken’s Cape 12-1) and/or Spring to the Sky (10-1) into the mix with the big favorites..

Most Likely: #2 Bridgetown 8-5 3rd
Best Value: #8 Super Chunky 15-1 4th
Next Best: #7 Ben’s Cat 9-5 WON ($4.20)
Exotics Use: #6 Ken’s Cape 12-1 6th

10th: 89th Black-Eyed Susan (G2), 3yo-F, 9f (P3)

SCR #1 Manuka Honey & #5 Walkwithapurpose. Question here is whether you believe Emollient is a dirt horse or not. After that, you can reach around and tinker with a price or two including Nicks’ Maracuya who could be dangerous if left to her own devices up front. On that topic, Fiftyshadesofhay gets blinkers, adds Rosario and exits a bullet work at CD. Looms a stalk and go presence..

Most Likely: #3 Fiftyshadesofhay 2-1 WON ($6.20)
Next Best: #7 Emollient 8-5 6th
Best Value: #6 Maracuya 8-1 4th
Exotics Use: #9 Marathon Lady 12-1 2nd

11th: 14th Very One, F&M-3+, 5f-T (P3)

Looks like this goes straight through the Giant’s Causeway at KEE where Sweet Cassiopeia, Spun Cap, Sounds of the City and Sensible Lady finished 1-4 within 2+ lengths of each other. Sensible Lady won this a year ago and while she hasn’t run back to that effort since, it’s notable that she is 2/2 over this course

Best Value: #3 Sensible Lady 6-1 WON ($9.20)
Next Best: #13 Sweet Cassiopeia 5-2 6th
Exotics Use: #10 Spun Cap 5-1 7th
Super Add: #7 Sounds of the City 6-1 5th

12th: 43rd Pimlico Special (G3), 3+, 9.5f (Special-Preakness Double, Super Hi-5)

Most Likely: #7 Last Gunfighter 7-5 WON ($3.20)
Best Value: #3 Brimstone Island 12-1 6th
Next Best: #4 Eighttodasttocatch 9-5 2nd
Exotics Use: #6 Concealed Identity 15-1 5th

<$50 P4 Play:

9: 2-6-7-8
10: 3-6-7-9
11: 3-4-7-10-11-12-13
12: 7

4x4x7x1 = 112 x .50 = $56

$0.50 Pick 4 (7/3/3/1,7) Paid $47.10

13th: 41st Hilltop, 3yo-F, 8.5f-T (Super Hi-5)

The sophomore filly turf division is terrific and this is a great example of the assemblies that have been dotting the calendar with them. There’s enough turf in Zenzara’s family to make her interesting at a price..

Best Value: #2 Zenzara 12-1 3rd
Next Best: #10 Summer of Love 4-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #4 Birdlover 5-1 6th
Super Add: #5 Premier Steps 5-1 5th
Hi-5 Play: #11 Miss Lucky Sevens 10-1 4th

HOLLYWOOD PARK

POST-SCRATCHES

5th: Cal-ALW/N!X, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #2 Warren’s Flasher 9-5 3rd
Best Value: #4 La Juliana 8-1 5th
Next Best: #3 Gia Is a Bella 6-1 4th

6th: MDN CLM ($20k), F&M-3+, 7.5f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #3 Psalm Sixteen 6-1 WON ($8.00)
Best Value: #10 Georgia’s Niece 20-1 5th
Next Best: #9 Frannie’sspirittoo 3-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #1 Bas 5-2 3rd

7th: OC/N1X, 3yo-F, 6f-T (DD)

Most Likely: #8 Upward Spiral 7-2 6th
Next Best: #4 Broken Sword 4-1 5th
Exotics Use: #6 Malibu Honey 5-2 4th
Super Add: #1 Llandudno 12-1 2nd

8th: Cal-MSW, 2yo-F, 4.5f (Super Hi-5)

Most Likely: #8 Patty Wack 6-1 8th
Best Value: #10 Miss Swiss Rose LATE SCR
Next Best: #6 Yodelmesomemagic 3-1 6th
Exotics Use: #3 Tribalista 7-2 4th

<$75 P4 Play:

5: 2-3-4
6: 1-3-9-10
7: 4-6-8
8: 3-6-8-10

3x4x3x4 = 144 x .50 = $72

HOLLYWOOD PARK

PRE-SCRATCHES

4th: MDN CLM ($20k), 3+, 7.5f (P6, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #8Ten Tequilas 7-2 2nd
Next Best: #1 Unusual Flash 5-2 5th
Exotics Use: #3 Real Deal Appeal 3-1 3rd
Super Add: #2 Chico Suerte 4-1 WON ($10.00)

5th: CLM, F&M-3+, 1m-T (P3, DD)

Wow.. 10 line up here and entire group is separated by a couple lengths on best. Four Better is first off claim for Dorf and Romantic Wish returns to level of last win..

Most Likely: #6 Four Better 5-2 5th
Next Best: #10 Romantic Wish 4-1 4th
Best Value: #4 Prettypriceygirl 12-1 9th
Exotics Use: #2 Van Brit 6-1 10th

6th: MDN CLM ($20k), 3+, 7.5f (P4, P3, DD)

2nd division of 4th race with lots of cross-pollination..

Most Likely: #6 Caveman Keno 3-1 4th
Next Best: #4 Just Irish 2-1 WON ($5.20)
Exotics Use: #2 Patriotic Lion 5-2 3rd
Super Add: #7 Spectacular Journey 6-1 2nd

7th: 5th Round Table, 4+, 12f-T (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #5 Dhaamer 7-5 WON ($3.20)
Next Best: #2 Diamondsdiplomat 5-2 5th
Exotics Use: #1 Lime Rickey 2-1 2nd

8th: CLM, 3+, 5.5f (DD)

Best Value: #8 Valkyrie Missle 8-1 6th
Next Best: #4 Gallant Gent 7-2 4th
Exotics Use: #7 Don Perico 3-1 5th
Super Add: #1 Slycy 5-1 8th

9th: MSW, F&M-3+, 6f-T (Super Hi-5)

Most Likely: #9 Burns Turn 9-2 2nd
Best Value: #8 Blake’s Magic 6-1 4th
Next Best: #5 Tizmetizyou 3-1 WON ($8.20)
Exotics Use: #7 Camryn Kate 7-2 6th
Super Add: #12 J K’s Mischief 20-1 12th

<$150 P6 Play:

4: 1-8
5: 6-10
6: 2-4-6
7: 5
8: 4-8
9: 5-8-9

2x2x3x1x2x3 = 72 x $2 = $144

<$50 P4 Play:

6: 2-4-6-7
7: 5
8: 1-3-4-6-7-8
9: 5-7-8-9

4x1x6x4 = 96 x .50 = $48

BELMONT PARK

POST-SCRATCHES

6th: MSW, 3+, 7f (G/S, P3, DD)

As discussed with Nick Tammaro, some serious pedigrees on view here including High Five Again (full to Awesome Feather); Encode (half to Algorithims, Justin Phillip and Successful Mission); Howie’s Tiz (full to Rush Now)..

Most Likely: #2 Town Extension 7-2 6th
Next Best: #1 Encode 4-1 5th
Exotics Use: #6 Howie’s Tiz 4-1 2nd
Super Add: #3 Bad Hombre 3-1 WON ($8.50)

7th: NY-MDN CLM ($50k), 3yo, 6f (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1 Joe Alan 7-2 WON ($4.20)
Next Best: #6 Joe Mooch 6-1 2nd
Best Value: #2 Gold Buffalo 8-1 4th
Exotics Use: #10 Thingamajigger 12-1 5th

8th: NY-ALW/N1X, 3+, 1m (P3, DD)

Very good group of state breds here with at least 5 having opportunity. Can Quiet Power be counted on to run another ‘A’ race? He’s frequently reacted to big tries and has not been able to impact NY-ALW company previously..

Most Likely: #4 Irish Moon 6-1 2nd
Next Best: #2 Quiet Power 6-5 3rd
Best Value: #1 Greeley’s Law 15-1 4th
Exotics Use: #9 Amberjack 7-2 WON ($4.90)
Super Add: #3 Ego Friendly 8-1 5th

<$5 DIME SUPER PLAY: 2-4 with 1-2-4 with 1-2-3-4-9 with 1-2-3-4-9 (2x2x3x4 = 48 x .10 = $4.80)

9th: 59th Peter Pan (G2), 9f (DD)

Day’s most interesting race pits 11 sophs in audition for Belmont Stakes 4 weeks hence. A lot of ways to go here with any number of questions needing to be answered: How overbet will Incognito (5-1) & Freedom Child (12-1) be off trouble lines in respective last starts? Can Bay Shore winner Declan’s Warrior (4-1) stretch out the additional quarter mile? Is NY bred Go Get the Basil (20-1) just a $50k claimer or is nose beat 2 back a race he can reproduce today? Has My Name Is Michael (10-1) wanted the main track all along? How much improvement can we expect from 6/4-2-0 private purchase Battier (8-1) SCRATCHED with the move to Pletcher? Is Andy Serling wearing a new Boss suit?

Most Likely: #10 Incognito 5-1 4th
Next Best: #8 Declan’s Warrior Late SCRATCH (2:00pm)
Best Value: #9 Go Get the Basil 20-1 3rd
Super Add: #1 Freedom Child 12-1 WON ($9.20)

10th: MDN CLM ($25k), 3+, 6f-OFF THE TURF

Most Likely: #15 Derby Watch 7-2 WON ($11.40)
Next Best: #14 Economic Forecast 2-1 5th
Best Value: #16 Dapper Draper Late SCRATCH (2:00pm)
Exotics Use: #6 Freight 4-1 3rd

<$50 P4 Play:

7: 1-2-6
8: 2-4
9: 1-2-4-5-7-9-10
10: 14-15

3x2x7x2 = 84 x .50 = $42

HOLLYWOOD PARK

POST-SCRATCHES

7th: 1st Came Home, 3yo, 7f (P3, DD)

Nothing to bet here, but plenty to see. Let Em Shine and Treasury Bill are both headed to bigger things..

Most Likely: #1 Let Em Shine 2-1 WON ($4.20)
Next Best: #3 Tresury Bill 5-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #2 Belvin 7-2 4th

6th: 45th Senorita (G3), 3yo-F, 1m-T (P4, P3, DD)

Sophomore filly turf division terrific on both coasts. Can’t get past Scarlet Strike unfortunately though the next 4-5 are well within striking distance. Interesting that import Charlie Em lures Gomez..

Most Likely: #8 Scarlet Strike 5-2 2nd
Next Best: #1 Lilbourne Eliza 3-1 5th
Best Value: #4 Disko Dasko 5-1 6th
Exotics Use: #7 Charlie Em 6-1 WON ($21.40)

7th: MSW, 3+, 7f (P3, DD)

Some pedigrees of note here with debuting Simon Says Go a half to Win Willy and overdue Syndicated a half to Ultimate Eagle..

Most Likely: #6 A Red Tie Day 5-1 3rd
Best Value: #4 Spectrus 15-1 5th
Next Best: #2 Stormin Late 7-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #7 Major Affair 3-1 4th

8th: OC/N2X, 3+, 6f-T (DD)

Good set..

Most Likely: #7 Sirocco Strike 5-2 2nd
Next Best: #2 No Silent 3-1 WON ($6.00)
Best Value: #1 Royal F J 6-1 4th
Exotics Use: #5 Innocent Man 4-1 6th

9th: MDN CLM ($20k), 3+, 6f (Super Hi-5)

Most Likely: #3 Billy Win 3-1 WON ($4.80)
Best Value: #13 The Gatekeeper 5-1 2nd
Next Best: #2 Dark Timbers 6-1 4th
Exotics Use: #15 Majestic Desert 15-1 7th

<$75 P4 Play:

6: 1-4-7-8
7: 2-4-6-7
8: 1-2-7
9: 2-3-13

4x4x3x3 = 144 x .50 = $72

BELMONT PARK

POST-SCRATCHES

4th: No Reason-NY, F&M-4+, 1m (P6, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #5 Miss Valentine 2-1 WON ($4.40)
Next Best: #7 Go Unbridled 5-2 5th
Best Value: #2 Erin Enchanted 6-1 4th
Exotics Use: #6 Clear Pasaj 5-1 2nd

5th: ALW/N2L, 3+, 8.5f-T (G/S, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #4 Lead Singer 5-1 7th
Best Value: #3 Stormy Len 6-1 2nd
Next Best: #9 Baker Street 3-1 8th
Exotics Use: #5 Draw Two 7-2 WON ($6.90)

6th: OC/N2X, F&M-3+, 8.5f-IT (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #7 Floral Romance 3-1 5th
Next Best: #3 Deanallen’skitten 5-2 WON ($5.10)
Best Value: #5 Cosmic Energy 15-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #4 Puzzling 4-1 2nd

7th: MDN CLM, 3+, 8.5f-OFF THE TURF (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #7 Right Now 3rd
Next Best: #13 Taylor Jagger 2nd

8th: OC/N1X, 3yo, 6f (DD)

Most Likely: #1 Retrieve 3-1 WON ($6.60)
Next Best: #3 Carried Interest 4-5 2nd
Exotics Use: #4 Lawn Man 4-1 5th

9th: MSW, 3+, 10f-OFF THE TURF

Most Likely: #11 Speechmaker 7-2 2nd
Best Value: #3 Pentagram 15-1 4th
Next Best: #8 Forever Thing 5-2 WON ($5.30)
Exotics Use: #12 Olympian 4-1 DNF-Pulled Up

<$50 P4 Play:

6: 3-7 (4-5)
7: 7-13
8: 1-3-4
9: 11 (3)

2x2x3x1 = 12 x $2 = $24
4x2x3x2 = 48 x .50 = $24

HOLLYWOOD PARK

PRE-SCRATCHES

<$75 P4 Play:

5: 4-5 (1-2)
6: 1-3-7
7: 5-6 (2-4/SCR)
8: 5/Late SCR–8 (1/SCR)

Narrow: 2x3x2x2 = $24

$1 Pick 4 (5/1/4,6/1,5,8) Paid $71.10 x 2 = $142.20

Wide: 4x3x3x2 = 72 x .50 = $36

$0.50 Pick 4 (5/1/4,6/1,5,8) Paid $35.55 x 2 = $71.10